Valverde avoids ban as UEFA rejects Benfica complaint, Real Madrid handed boost for second leg | OneFootball

UEFA confirmed that Fede Valverde will not face disciplinary action after a contentious incident in the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League play-offs.

In minute 82 at the Estádio da Luz, Valverde sprinted alongside Samuel Dahl and swung a punch towards the Benfica player.

There was no clear contact to establish an obvious act of aggression, although the Portuguese side viewed the gesture as violent conduct. Neither the referee nor VAR penalised the incident during the game, prompting debate over the officiating.

Post-match, Benfica lodged a formal protest seeking a ban, arguing video replays showed an offence worthy of a red card. The case has been thrown out, with the original on-field assessment effectively left untouched and no retrospective action opened.

The decision means Valverde is available for the return at the Santiago Bernabéu, a lift for the coach in a tie already under strain. The backdrop includes a separate investigation into alleged racist insults towards Vinícius Júnior by Gianluca Prestianni, who is under provisional measures while inquiries continue.

Source: Superdeporte