Rui Costa takes decisive step as Benfica suspend five members after Real Madrid clash | OneFootball

Benfica’s board, led by Rui Costa, has suspended five members and cancelled their red pass following disciplinary proceedings over racist conduct during the match with Real Madrid, the club said in a statement.

The cases stem from an internal inquiry launched after the first leg of the play-off for a place in the Champions League last 16, played on 17 February.

Expulsion, the maximum sanction under the statutes, could follow, and there is zero tolerance for discrimination or racism.

Videos later surfaced on social media showing Benfica supporters in the Estádio da Luz stands imitating monkeys and making monkey noises, after a match marked by the Gianluca Prestianni-Vinícius Júnior incident.

They face Gil Vicente on Monday, 2 March at 20:15 at Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, on matchday 24 of Liga Portugal Betclic.

Benfica are third with 55 points.

Source: Glorioso 1904