UEFA rejects Benfica appeal as Prestianni banned for Real Madrid second leg

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·25 February 2026

UEFA rejects Benfica appeal as Prestianni banned for Real Madrid second leg

UEFA has rejected Benfica’s appeal, leaving Prestianni provisionally suspended for one UEFA club match and unavailable for the Real Madrid play-off second leg.

UEFA said in a statement on Wednesday that its Appeals Body had dismissed the club’s challenge, confirming the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of 23 February 2026.

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Prestianni travelled with the squad and is in the Spanish capital to watch the game, but he cannot be selected for the decisive tie.

His provisional ban follows a flashpoint with Vinícius Júnior in the first leg at Estádio da Luz, a play-off for a place in the Champions League last 16.

The return match kicks off at 20:00 at Estádio Bernabéu, with Slavko Vincic to referee. The tie will be shown on Sport TV5.

Source: Glorioso 1904