Football Apr 30, 2026

Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica winger handed six-match ban for discriminatory conduct towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica winger handed six-match ban for discriminatory conduct towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior

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."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta slams 'completely unacceptable' decision to overturn penalty awarded to Eberechi Eze in Champions League semi-final at Atletico Madrid

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta slams 'completely unacceptable' decision to overturn penalty awarded to Eberechi Eze in Champions League semi-final at Atletico Madrid

Mikel Arteta called the decision to overturn a penalty awarded to Eberechi Eze as "completely unacceptable" after his Arsenal side were pegged back to...

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico build-up plus latest on Trump, tickets and fans

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico build-up plus latest on Trump, tickets and fans

Man City midfielder Coombs to retire at end of seasonManchester City midfielder Laura Coombs has announced that she will retire at the...

Leah Williamson: Arsenal and England defender signs new contract with Women's Super League club

Leah Williamson: Arsenal and England defender signs new contract with Women's Super League club

Leah Williamson has signed a new contract with Arsenal Women. The 29-year-old's season has been hampered by injury, missing the first half of the camp...

Piero Hincapie, William Saliba and Gabriel personify Arsenal's warrior spirit as battle against fatigue continues in epic trophy hunt

Piero Hincapie, William Saliba and Gabriel personify Arsenal's warrior spirit as battle against fatigue continues in epic trophy hunt

Diego Simeone's tactical changes helped Atletico Madrid wrestle back control against Arsenal at the Metropolitano Stadium. His switch to a back five a...

Donald Trump says Iran can play at World Cup in USA after FIFA confirmation

Donald Trump says Iran can play at World Cup in USA after FIFA confirmation

United States president Donald Trump has given his blessing to Iran competing on his country’s soil during this summer’s World Cup, stating: "Let them...

Scottish Premiership: Hearts, Celtic & Rangers fans on title favourites and what winning the league would mean to them

Scottish Premiership: Hearts, Celtic & Rangers fans on title favourites and what winning the league would mean to them

With four games remaining, there are just four points separating the top three teams in the Scottish Premiership ahead of a delectable double-header –...