UEFA has suspended Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for six matches after finding him guilty of homophobic conduct towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during February’s Champions League playoff.
The incident occurred in the first leg on February 11, which Real Madrid won 1-0 in Lisbon. Play was stopped for 11 minutes early in the second half shortly after Vinicius Jr opened the scoring.
Video showed the 20-year-old Argentine covering his mouth with his shirt before making comments towards the Brazilian. While Vinicius Jr and teammates, including Kylian Mbappé, believed they heard a racial slur, Real midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni later told officials Prestianni admitted to using a homophobic insult, not a racial one.
Prestianni has denied the allegations, claiming Vinicius Jr misheard him.
The Sanction
Announcing the decision Friday, UEFA confirmed Prestianni will miss Benfica’s next two matches, having already served a one-match provisional ban during the second leg on February 25. A further three-match ban is suspended for a two-year probationary period.
UEFA added it will ask FIFA to extend the sanction worldwide.
