VINICIUS SLAMS RACIST 'COWARD'

Real star says Prestianni called him 'mono', Spanish for monkey, on heated Lisbon night

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Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni arguing with Real's Antonio Rudiger (No. 22) and Eduardo Camavinga after allegedly racially abusing Vinicius Jr (No. 7), who struck the winner in their Champions League play-off first leg on Feb 17. The game was halted for 11 minutes and Kylian Mbappe wants the Argentinian to be banned.

(PHOTO: AFP)

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe said Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni should be banned from the Champions League, after the Argentinian was accused of directing a racist slur at Vinicius Jr during the Spanish side’s 1-0 knockout playoff first-leg win on Feb 17.

Denying the accusation, Prestianni said the Brazilian misheard him. The incident occurred shortly after Vinicius had curled Real into the lead five minutes into the second half in Lisbon with a wonder goal.

European governing body UEFA said on Feb 18 that it would “investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour”.

Television footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt before making a comment that Vinicius and nearby teammates interpreted as a racial slur against the 25-year-old, with referee Francois Letexier halting the match for 11 minutes after activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocols.

After arguing with the Argentinian winger, Vinicius ran over to Letexier and told the Frenchman — who had booked him for his celebrations — that he had been called “mono”, the Spanish word for monkey, by the Argentinian.