Football Apr 29, 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

EFL final day: Bromley seal League Two title; Harrogate, Barrow drop into non-league & League One play-off drama

EFL final day: Bromley seal League Two title; Harrogate, Barrow drop into non-league & League One play-off drama

Aberdeen exploring deal for Hibs' BoyleLatest from Your Site News' Anthony Joseph:Aberdeen are exploring a deal for Hibernian forward Martin Boyle.&nb...

Ipswich promoted! CONTROVERSY as Hull knock Wrexham out of sixth - Championship highlights

Ipswich promoted! CONTROVERSY as Hull knock Wrexham out of sixth - Championship highlights

Aberdeen exploring deal for Hibs' BoyleLatest from Your Site News' Anthony Joseph:Aberdeen are exploring a deal for Hibernian forward Martin Boyle.&nb...

Wolves 1-1 Sunderland: Dan Ballard sent off for pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair as Black Cats can only draw at Molineux

Wolves 1-1 Sunderland: Dan Ballard sent off for pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair as Black Cats can only draw at Molineux

Wolves and Sunderland played out a 1-1 draw at Molineux as Dan Ballard was sent off for pulling the hair of Tolu Arokodare.When Nordi Mukiele headed S...

Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka on target as Gunners go six points clear of Man City

Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka on target as Gunners go six points clear of Man City

Arsenal moved six points clear of Manchester City and boosted their goal difference with a dominant 3-0 win over Fulham.The Gunners scored all three g...

Wrexham 2-2 Middlesbrough: Red Dragons miss out on top six as Boro also condemned to play-offs

Wrexham 2-2 Middlesbrough: Red Dragons miss out on top six as Boro also condemned to play-offs

Wrexham's hopes of a historic fourth consecutive promotion were ended with a 2-2 Sky Bet Championship draw against Middlesbrough at the SToK Cae Ras.H...

Newcastle 3-1 Brighton: Will Osula, Dan Burn and Harvey Barnes score as Eddie Howe's side end five-match losing streak

Newcastle 3-1 Brighton: Will Osula, Dan Burn and Harvey Barnes score as Eddie Howe's side end five-match losing streak

Newcastle United ended a dismal run of five straight defeats with a 3-1 win over a Europe-chasing Brighton at St James' Park. Will Osula scored Newcas...