Portuguese press highlight clashes as Prestianni targeted in Benfica vs Flamengo friendly | OneFootball

Flamengo beat Benfica in a mid-season friendly in the Algarve, but attention centred on Prestianni, who clashed with players and was booed by Flamengo fans as he came on.

Record writes that the Argentine replaced the injured Jaden Umeh on 30 minutes and that robust challenges from Emerson Royal and Pulgar led to friction on the touchline and the first yellow card shown by referee Fábio Veríssimo. A Bola highlights a row by the benches, saying goalkeeper coach Fernando Ferreira approached Flamengo’s dugout and a heated reaction followed, with Leonardo Jardim visibly agitated as Simão Sabrosa tried to calm him.

Prestianni was punished earlier this year after Vini Jr accused him of racism during a Champions League match. That controversy followed a game in Lisbon in February, when Vini Jr scored a superb opener for Real Madrid against Benfica at Estádio da Luz.

His celebration by the corner flag near a Benfica organised section prompted protests and a scuffle, and French referee François Letexier booked the Brazilian. As play was about to restart, Vini Jr reported racist words by Prestianni to the referee, sparking fresh confrontation, and Mbappé also accused the Benfica player of racist abuse.

Letexier then activated UEFA’s anti-racism protocol and halted play for about 10 minutes, with Mbappé and Tchouaméni consoling Vini Jr and Benfica coach José Mourinho speaking to him. Sections of the home support insulted the forward and threw objects, the match resumed, and both Vini Jr and Mbappé were booed with each touch.

Source: Globo.com