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Benfica suspends five supporters following Champions League incidents

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Benfica say they have suspended five supporters for behaviour “of a racist nature” during the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off against Real Madrid this month.

Play in Lisbon was suspended for 10 minutes after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr told the referee that he had been racially abused by Benfica’s Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni, who denies the claims.

“Benfica informed that it has suspended the memberships of five members following the initiation of disciplinary proceedings that led to the application of the maximum sanction stipulated in club’s statutes, which is expulsion,” the Portuguese club said in a statement.

“An internal investigation initiated after the match between Benfica and Real Madrid, held on 17 February, and the adoption of inappropriate behaviour in the stands, of a racist nature, incompatible with the values and principles that govern the club.

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“Benfica reaffirms that it does not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism and will continue to act firmly when behaviours undermine the values of the club.”

Vinicius had put the visitors ahead in the game but was booked for an excessive celebration in front of Benfica supporters.

Television footage showed some fans appearing to make racist gestures aimed at the player.

After an exchange with Prestianni he ran over to the referee, gesturing in the direction of the Argentina player before walking off the pitch, followed by his team-mates.

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When play resumed, an object was thrown from the crowd that struck Vinicius on the arm as he prepared to take a corner.

Speaking after the game, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho said Vinicius had acted disrespectfully and incited the crowd.

Those comments were criticised by former Real midfielder Clarence Seedorf among others.

Prestianni was handed a provisional one-match ban by Uefa and missed Wednesday’s return leg, which Real won 2-1 to go through 3-1 on aggregate.

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Vinicius, who scored again at the Bernabeu, was booed by the away supporters.

On Thursday, Benfica issued a statement denying a claim that Prestianni had told the squad or club officials that he had uttered a racist insult to Vinicius.

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Phoenix Suns vs Toronto Raptors Preview: Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction (Mar. 22)

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The Phoenix Suns will lock horns with the Toronto Raptors at Mortgage Matchup Center on Sunday for their 72nd regular-season game. The game will tip off at 9:00 p.m. ET and will be the last meeting between the two teams this season. The Raptors had secured a 122-115 win over the Suns in their last matchup on March 13.

The Suns are on a five-game losing streak. They are in seventh place in the Western Conference standings with a 39-32 record. Meanwhile, the Raptors are in fifth place in the East with a 39-30 record.

Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction

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Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Tips and Odds

Moneyline: Suns (+128), Raptors (-152)

Spread: Suns +2.5 (-110), Raptors -2.5 (-110)

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Total over/under o/u: Suns u219.5 (-110), Raptors o219.5 (-110)

Note: Odds listed are subject to change close to tip-off

Beting Tips

  • Devin Booker is expected to score over 25.5 points
  • Jalen Green is expected to score under 21,5 points
  • Scottie Barnes is expected to dish out over 4.5 assists

Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors Preview

The Suns suffered a 108-105 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Their defense has struggled in the absence of Dillon Brooks, who is out with a fractured left hand. Devin Booker was off his game against the Bucks as he finished with 14 points on 4 of 17 shooting.

Jalen Green stepped up his game in a failed attempt to save a sinking ship. He finished with 24 points. The Suns will have to find a way to get back their groove without Brooks on the floor.

The Raptors, on the other hand, faced a 121-115 loss to the Denver Nuggets. They dominated the Nuggets in the first and the third quarter, but their inconsistency got the best of them. They will need to work on getting their offense and defense consistent in all quarters.

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Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors Starting Lineups Tonight

Suns starting lineup

PG: Collin Gillespie, SG: Devin Booker, SF: Jalen Green, PF: Royce O’Neale, C: Oso Ighodaro

Raptors starting lineup

PG: Immanuel Quickley, SG: Brandon Ingram, SF: RJ Barrett, PF: Scottie Barnes, C: Jakob Poeltl

Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction

The Suns are still figuring out chemistry late in the season. Jalen Green’s return from injury and Dillon Brooks’ absence have put them in a bind. The Raptors have a better chance of walking away with a win. The game will be close, but expect the Raptors to win by a five-point margin.