Prestianni traveled with Benfica to Madrid and doesn't lose hope of playing

Gianluca Prestianni traveled to Madrid this Tuesday with the Portuguese team for the second-leg match against Real Madrid, seeking a place in the round of 16 of this Champions League. Although the player was provisionally suspended by UEFA after being accused of using racist insults against Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, Prestianni will be awaiting the resolution of an appeal submitted to UEFA to overturn his suspension.

Rui Costa's statements

Before the flight took off, the former player and president of Benfica, Rui Costa, spoke about Prestianni and stated that the player is not racist and that there is still no evidence of any wrongdoing, and he also condemned the way the player is being criticized.

"Benfica would never have racist players on its team. Prestianni is not a racist and, if he were, I would be the first to take action," declared the president of Benfica.

Benfica appeals for Prestianni to play

The Portuguese club considers that the Argentine player on their roster has not committed any violation of UEFA regulations and that the sanction is therefore unjustified or inappropriate. Consequently, they filed an appeal to interfere with the measure and obtain the lifting of this provisional suspension.

For the moment, the sanction against Gianluca Prestianni, Benfica's player, remains in effect, and the Argentine forward will not be able to play the second-leg at the Bernabéu.

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