UEFA is closely monitoring the conduct of Vinícius Júnior, star forward of Real Madrid, and Gianluca Prestianni of S.L. Benfica ahead of Wednesday night’s decisive clash at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The two sides are set to meet in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake. However, attention has shifted beyond the pitch following controversy stemming from the first leg.
According to Spanish radio outlet Cadena SER, UEFA officials are paying particular attention to the traditional pre-match handshake during the formal lineup ceremony.
Concerns have emerged over the possibility that either player could fail to observe the symbolic gesture, an act viewed by the governing body as central to the values of respect and sportsmanship that underpin the competition.
UEFA fears that any public breach of protocol could spark widespread debate, overshadow the sporting spectacle, and potentially lead to disciplinary review.
While sanctions in such cases remain uncommon, internal discussions within UEFA have reportedly explored various scenarios should tensions escalate.
The organization is expected to issue a clarifying statement in the coming days as developments continue to unfold.
The heightened scrutiny traces back to the first leg, which was marred by allegations of racist abuse. The incident reportedly involved Prestianni and Vinícius, igniting significant media attention and intensifying pressure ahead of the return fixture.
In an effort to contain the fallout, reports indicate that Prestianni apologized to his Benfica teammates during a recent training session, acknowledging that the controversy had affected the squad’s atmosphere.
The Argentine winger, however, has expressed frustration, maintaining that the accusations have had a damaging impact on his reputation.
With Real Madrid holding a slender 1–0 advantage from the first leg, the focus remains on securing progression to the knockout stages.
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