Benfica chief Rui Costa calls Prestianni suspension “unfair” amid Vinicius racism probe

Gianluca Prestianni
February 2026

Benfica president Rui Costa defended Prestianni after UEFA suspended him for one match while investigating allegations linked to an exchange with Vinicius Jr. Costa said he was not on the pitch to know what was said, insisted Benfica trust the player’s account, and argued it is wrong to label him before the process is concluded.