Benfica's Prestianni banned for six games for homophobic conduct

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni (C) received a six-game ban for homophobic conduct directed at Brazilian Vinicius Junior (R) during a loss to Real Madrid on Feb. 17 in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Jose Sena Goulao/EPA

April 24 (UPI) -- The Union of European Football Associations suspended Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni for six games for homophobic conduct during a game with Real Madrid, officials announced Friday.

In February, the soccer governing body announced a provisional one-game ban for Prestianni after Madrid's Vinicius Jr. claimed he racially abused him during the first leg of their Champions League matchup Feb. 17 in Lisbon, Portugal. He did not play in the second leg of the playoff.

Prestianni confronted Vincius after he scored the lone goal in the first-leg meeting. Vinicius ran toward the referee while pointing at Prestianni. The referee then made an arms-crossed signal, indicating an accusation of racism.

Sources told ESPN that Prestianni provided evidence that he used an anti-gay slur and not a racist term, in reference to Vinicius.

UEFA announced an investigation into the allegations, which Prestianni denied, the day after the second-leg meeting. The organization handed down the provisional ban five days later, and dismissed an appeal from Benfica on Feb. 25.

Officials specifically stated that the six game ban was "for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct." UEFA requested FIFA to extend the suspension worldwide.

Prestianni will receive credit for the suspension he already served, and three of the games in his new ban are suspended for a two-year period, meaning he will only be out for two more games. Prestianni must serve the suspensions in UEFA matches or those played for the .