Benfica Winger Gianluca Prestianni Receives Six-Match Ban for Discriminatory Conduct Towards Real Madrid Forward Vinicius Jr.

Benfica Winger Gianluca Prestianni Receives Six-Match Ban for Discriminatory Conduct Towards Real Madrid Forward Vinicius Jr.

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a six-match ban by UEFA for discriminatory conduct towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The incident took place during the Champions League play-off tie between the two teams in February. Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Jr. after the latter scored a goal. UEFA conducted an investigation and charged Prestianni with homophobic conduct, resulting in a two-match ban and three additional suspended games for two years. The decision was made by the UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) following a probe by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector.

The statement from UEFA announced the suspension of Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for a total of six matches for discriminatory (homophobic) conduct. The player had already served a one-match provisional suspension during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 knock-out play-off match between Real Madrid CF and SL Benfica. The suspension includes a probationary period of two years, during which three matches are subject to suspension. Additionally, FIFA has been requested to extend the suspension worldwide.

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