UEFA bans Benfica player for homophobic conduct in game vs Real Madrid
TL;DR
Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match suspension for homophobic conduct during a Champions League match against Real Madrid. The ban includes a three-match suspension subject to a two-year probation period.
Key points
- Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match suspension
- Suspension is for discriminatory conduct deemed homophobic
- Incident involved a slur directed at Vinicius Jr
- The match was a Champions League playoff against Real Madrid
- Three-match suspension is subject to a two-year probation period
UEFA bans Benfica player for homophobic conduct in game vs Real Madrid
Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was handed a six-match suspension for discriminatory conduct that was deemed homophobic in a Champions League match against Real Madrid, UEFA announced on Friday.
Prestianni will effectively be banned for two more matches after UEFA said that a further three-match suspension would be "subject to a probationary period of two years, starting from the date of the present decision." He has already served a one-match provisional suspension.
The Argentine winger was accused of directing a slur at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during the Spanish side's 1-0 Champions League playoff first-leg win in February.
The first leg was suspended for 11 minutes shortly after Vinicius gave Real the lead early in the second half.
Television footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt repeatedly before making comments that Vinicius and nearby teammates interpreted as a racial slur against the 25-year-old.
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Prestianni had denied the accusation that he had made a racist comment, saying Vinicius misheard him. Real's Aurelien Tchouameni said the Argentine told him he did not call Vinicius a "monkey" but directed a homophobic comment at him.
UEFA also said they would request FIFA to extend the suspension worldwide.
The suspension also includes the one-match provisional suspension Prestianni served during the second leg of their knockout playoff on February 25, which Real Madrid won 2-1 to advance.
Benfica said they had been notified about the sanction imposed on Prestianni.
"Of the three-match effective ban, one has already been served and the remaining two must be served in UEFA matches or Argentina national team matches in a FIFA context," Benfica said.
Prestianni has played for Argentina only once, making his debut as a late substitute in a friendly game against Angola in November.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gianluca Prestianni suspended for homophobia vs. Real Madrid
Q&A
What was Gianluca Prestianni banned for?
Gianluca Prestianni was banned for six matches due to homophobic conduct during a Champions League match.
How long is Gianluca Prestianni's suspension?
Prestianni's suspension is for six matches, with three of those matches subject to a two-year probation period.
What incident led to Prestianni's suspension?
The suspension followed an incident where Prestianni directed a homophobic slur at Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League match.
When did the incident involving Prestianni occur?
The incident occurred during the first leg of a Champions League playoff match against Real Madrid in February.
