Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a six-game suspension by UEFA for directing a homophobic slur towards Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr.
Prestianni was originally accused of using a racial slur against Vinicius Jr in the first leg of the Champions League play-off in Lisbon on February 20. The Argentina international denied any wrongdoing but Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said he heard a homophobic slur used.
Of the six-game sanction, three are suspended while one has already been served in the return game of the Madrid tie after UEFA handed Prestianni a one-match prima facie punishment while the investigation continued.
Prestianni could miss out on World Cup selection as a result
European football’s governing body are also pushing FIFA to apply the punishment to international fixtures. Argentina are not due to play any more matches prior to the World Cup, meaning Prestianni could miss the first two games of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In reality, it significantly reduces his chances of making the squad.
A UEFA statement read: “Following the investigation of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, disciplinary proceedings were opened against the SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for a potential discriminatory conduct.
“The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has taken the following decision:
– To suspend SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for a total of six (6) UEFA club and/or representative national team official matches for which he would otherwise be eligible, for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct. The suspension for three (3) of these matches is subject to a probationary period of two (2) years, starting from the date of the present decision.
– This decision (i.e. the six-match suspension) includes the one-match provisional suspension served by the player during UEFA Champions League 2025/26 knock-out play-off match played on 25 February 2026 between Real Madrid CF and SL Benfica.
– To request FIFA to extend worldwide the above-mentioned suspension.”
more to follow
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