UEFA slams 6-match ban on Prestianni over homophobic language against Vinicius

European football governing body has handed Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban for discriminatory conduct against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. The ban stemmed from the duo’s confrontation in their UCL round of 16 first leg tie in which Vinicius accused Prestianni of racist abuse after the Brazilian scored the only goal of the match. […]

European football governing body has handed Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban for discriminatory conduct against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.

The ban stemmed from the duo’s confrontation in their UCL round of 16 first leg tie in which Vinicius accused Prestianni of racist abuse after the Brazilian scored the only goal of the match.

Prestianni claimed innocence but UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine international, and he was charged by the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) for using homophobic language following the investigation of an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector.

According to CEBD, Prestianni will serve a six-match ban with immediate effect.

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He will, however, serve only three matches immediately, with the other three matches suspended for two years.

Furthermore, the body noted that his one-match provisional suspension that prevented the 20 years old energetic midfielder from playing in the second leg has been included, and he will only serve the ban for two more matches.

UEFA’s disciplinary body also decided that the ban can be served in UEFA competitions, and official national team matches.
It also requested FIFA to extend the suspension globally, a move that could mean the player who made his Argentina debut in November could miss two matches in the 2026 World Cup if selected to represent his country.

Benfica has confirmed receipt of UEFA’s decision, but did not indicate intention to appeal the decision.