Latest statement from UEFA on Prestianni case
The UEFA Appeal Committee has rejected Benfica’s plea to overrule the Argentine’s temporary suspension and he will not feature at the Bernabéu tonight.
UEFA announced in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that Benfica’s appeal against Gianluca Prestianni’s provisional suspension has been dismissed. “The UEFA Appeals Body has today taken the following decision: The appeal lodged by SL Benfica is dismissed. Consequently, the decision of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body of 23 February 2026 is upheld,” the statement reads.
“Mr. Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible,” it concludes.
Therefore, Prestianni, who has traveled to Madrid, will not be available for Benfica’s match tonight in Madrid. It is unknown whether he will be at the Bernabéu, unlike head coach Jose Mourinho, who, according to AS, will attend the stadium despite also being suspended.
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