UEFA have confirmed that Portuguese giants Benfica have been hit with a fine and a suspended stadium closure after a racist incident during their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid
Benfica have been hit with a fine and suspended stadium closure after supporters were accused of racist behaviour against Real Madrid. The Portuguese giants took on the Spanish side in the Champions League playoff round last month.
The clash was marred by a number of unsavoury incidents including Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr accusing Gianluca Prestianni of using racist language. An investigation was launched in the aftermath.
And UEFA have now confirmed that Benfica will face punishment for the conduct of their fans, with racist behaviour having been identified. A statement from the European governing body read that Benfica had been accused of: “Throwing of objects, use of laser pointer, Racist and/or discriminatory behaviour (illicit chants and gestures by two supporters), unsporting conduct by assistant coach Pedro Luis Ferreira Machado.”
On the punishment that Benfica will face, the statement added: “To fine SL Benfica €40,000 and to order the partial closure of SL Benfica’s stadium (i.e. 500 seats in sectors 10 and/or 11), during the next one (1) UEFA club competition match in which SL Benfica will play as host club, for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters. Said stadium closure is suspended during a probationary period of one (1) year, starting from the date of the present decision."
Meanwhile, the club have also been fined €8,000 for use of laser pointer and a further €25,000 for the throwing of objects. Finally, assistant coach Machado has been suspended for one game.
Benfica eventually ended up going out of the Champions League against Real Madrid, having lost 3-1 on aggregate. The clash was however marred by an incident between Vinicius and Prestianni at the Estadio Da Luz, while Benfica boss Jose Mourinho was also criticised for his response.
Speaking at the time, the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss said: "I told him [Vinicius], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.
"When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist."
It was reported that Prestianni had admitted to his teammates that he had used a racial slur during the game, something that Benfica strongly denied. A statement read: "Sport Lisboa e Benfica categorically denies that the player Prestianni has communicated to the squad or the club's structure that he has uttered a racist insult to the player Vinicius Jr, from Real Madrid.
"As has already been made public, the player apologised to his teammates for the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid, regretting the dimension and consequences of it and assuring everyone, as he has done since the first hour, that he is not racist."