Gianluca Prestianni denies racist abuse of Vinicius and laments Real players’ threats | OneFootball

Gianluca Prestianni has denied using racist language towards Vinicius Júnior after Real Madrid’s 1-0 win at Benfica, adding that he regrets receiving threats from Madrid players. The player said in a post that he did not make racist insults and that Vinicius misheard.

The Argentinian winger, 20, posted an Instagram story shortly before three in the morning. The controversy arose from words he is alleged to have used after Vinicius’s demonstrative celebration of the only goal in the Champions League play-off first leg.

Accusations centred on the word mono, Spanish for monkey. Referee François Letexier paused the match under the anti-racism protocol after Vinicius ran to him to report the remarks.

Vinicius briefly left the pitch, supported by team-mates including Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kylian Mbappé. After eight minutes and minor scuffles, play resumed amid jeers at the Estádio da Luz.

During the night, Benfica publicly backed Prestianni on X. The club first offered support, then contended that footage showed Real players could not have heard what they claimed from that distance.

Source: L'Équipe