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Benfica have strongly refuted claims that Gianluca Prestianni confessed to racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.
Portuguese media reports suggested the Argentinian winger admitted guilt to his squad but the club firmly stated this was untrue.
Prestianni himself denies the accusation.
“Benfica categorically denies that player Prestianni communicated to the squad or the club’s management that he had uttered a racist insult against Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior,” said a statement.
“As has already been made public, the player apologised to his team-mates for the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid, regretting its magnitude and consequences and assuring everyone, as he has done from the very beginning, that he is not racist.”
Prestianni was provisionally suspended for Wednesday’s Champions League play-off defeat against Real after Vinicius alleged he was racially abused by the Argentinian in the first leg.
The Brazilian left the field and refused to return, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes in Lisbon.
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho was roundly criticised for his comments about the incident after appearing to intimate the winger had brought any abuse upon himself with his goal celebration, saying “a stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always”.
On Wednesday evening, Vinicius Jr scored the winner as Real Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 on the night.
Benfica had levelled the tie when Rafa Silva bundled home from close range after 14 minutes.
But the lead lead lasted only two minutes as Aurelien Tchouameni swept home superbly from the edge of the box for his first Champions League goal.
The contest was still finely balanced when Vinicius broke through 10 minutes from time and stroked the ball home for a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Real Madrid fans displayed anti-racism banners before kick-off – and ultimately it was the Brazilian who had the final word as the Spanish giants reached the last 16 of the Champions League.