‘If he said it, I can’t accept it’ as Dodi Lukebakio weighs in on Gianluca Prestianni | OneFootball

Dodi Lukebakio has become the first Benfica player to concede it is possible Gianluca Prestianni racially abused Vinicius Junior during last week’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid, after team-mates and manager Jose Mourinho backed the youngster’s denial.

UEFA have opened an investigation and imposed a one-match temporary ban that would rule Prestianni out at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. “It’s true that people are talking and speculating, but in the end, we don’t really know what he said. Is it true, or was it an exaggeration to take advantage of the situation? I think it’s also possible that Real Madrid wanted to exploit this,” he told Pickx + Sports.

Benfica have appealed the suspension, and Prestianni trained with the squad on the Bernabeu pitch on Tuesday night.

“I just hope what he said is false. Because if it’s true, I can’t accept it. I’m against injustice. And all injustice deserves to face the consequences.”

If he is found guilty of discriminatory language, he would face a minimum 10-game ban. Benfica president Rui Costa has said the club will stand by Prestianni, adding, ‘if he was racist, he wouldn’t be a Benfica player’.

Source: Football Espana