Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has received a six-match UEFA suspension for directed homophobic abuse toward Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League encounter.
UEFA has officially suspended Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for six matches following a disciplinary investigation into verbal abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. The incident occurred during a Champions League knockout playoff match in February, where Vinícius and his teammates accused the Argentine player of using racial slurs. While Prestianni denied the racial allegations, he admitted to using a homophobic slur, leading UEFA to issue the sanction specifically for the use of discriminatory homophobic language.
In a statement released on Friday, Benfica confirmed the details of the suspension. The penalty is structured so that three of the six matches are suspended for a two-year probationary period. Of the remaining three matches to be served, one was accounted for by an initial provisional suspension during the second leg of the tie. Prestianni must serve the final two games in upcoming UEFA club competitions or during FIFA-sanctioned matches with the Argentina national team.
The ruling comes amid heightened scrutiny of player conduct and a series of high-profile discriminatory incidents in European football. Benfica acknowledged the notification from Europe’s governing body, noting that the player had maintained his position regarding the specific words used during the heated exchange. This suspension reinforces UEFA’s “zero tolerance” policy toward discriminatory language on the pitch, regardless of whether the abuse is classified as racial or homophobic.
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