Luisão stunned! Ex-Benfica captain on Prestianni ban: ease the fallout | OneFootball

Luisão, former captain of Benfica, was one of the most outspoken voices regarding the alleged racism case involving Gianluca Prestianni. In the wake of the information released by UEFA, which the Eagles will not appeal, the former Brazilian defender raises serious doubts about the punishment handed to the 20-year-old footballer.

“Honestly, does anyone believe that a reaction of that magnitude happens because of that? Let everyone draw their own conclusions. I’m not here to point fingers without proof. But we also can’t ignore what football shows us, year after year. Those who live the game know,” Luisão began, reacting to the punishment imposed by UEFA.

“UEFA’s decision in the Prestianni case may have followed a ‘safe’ route, but it leaves behind an uneasy feeling that, in football, there is still a kind of hierarchy of prejudice, as if some are treated more harshly than others,” observed the former Brazilian defender.

“I start from the principle that racism and homophobia are equally serious. There is no ‘lighter’ version of an offense when it comes to discrimination against another human being, but in practice, we know that things often don’t work that way,” admitted the Brazilian.

“What deeply bothers me is the way this case unfolded. A statement that was first denied then comes to be admitted, but in a different context, and conveniently fitting into another type of offense... That alone raises questions. Not about what can be proven, but about what we are willing to accept,” he added.

“At the end of the day, the message this sends is dangerous. It seems that, depending on the path chosen, there is always a way to soften the consequences, which should be tough and set an example. And that cannot be normalized,” Luisão concluded, reacting to UEFA’s punishment, which sanctioned Prestianni for homophobic insults.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.