Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica winger handed six-match ban for discriminatory conduct towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior
Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a six-match ban for discriminatory conduct; Vinicius Junior alleged he was racially abused during the knockout play-off round match between the sides in Lisbon on February 17; UEFA's statement indicated the punishment was for homophobic abuse.
Friday 24 April 2026 16:32, UK
Gianluca Prestianni has been given a six-match ban by UEFA for discriminatory conduct towards Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid's forward accused Prestianni of racially abusing him in February's Champions League tie. UEFA's statement indicated the punishment was for homophobic abuse.
Three of those six matches are suspended for a two-year period and the ban also includes the one match Prestianni served as a provisional suspension in February.
Therefore, unless he triggers the suspended three-match ban, he will only actually be sidelined for two further games.
UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator after the match, with the investigation having concluded Prestianni's conduct was homophobic rather than racist.
UEFA said it had requested that FIFA extend the ban worldwide.
It was reported in February that Prestianni had told UEFA he had used a homophobic slur rather than a racist one.
Vinicius left the field and refused to return after Prestianni's comments, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes.
The incident could yet spark a law change, with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) set to meet in Canada next week ahead of FIFA Congress to further consider how players are dealt with if they cover their mouths to talk to an opponent in a confrontation.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last month that a red card should result, telling Sky News: "If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.
"There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said, otherwise he wouldn't have had to cover his mouth."
