UEFA bans Gianluca Prestianni for six matches over discriminatory remarks
UEFA has suspended Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for six matches, three of which are suspended for two years, for discriminatory behaviour. The sanction relates to an incident during Benfica's Champions League match against Real Madrid on February 17, where the Argentine international was accused of directing racist remarks towards Vinícius Júnior. According to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, which announced the decision on Friday, the charge was ultimately upheld for homophobic insults.
The case took a notable turn during the disciplinary process. Prestianni's defence strategy initially contested the allegations of racist abuse before acknowledging the use of homophobic slurs. UEFA's statement confirmed the player was punished "for a discriminatory conduct." Prestianni had already served one match of the ban, missing the return leg against Real Madrid on February 25, leaving two matches of the immediate suspension to be served.
Crucially, the suspension applies across all UEFA and FIFA competitions. This means Prestianni will be unavailable for Benfica in any European matches next season and, significantly, for the Argentine national team if selected. He would be forced to sit out Argentina's first two matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, should coach Lionel Scaloni include him in the squad.
The 18-year-old Prestianni only joined Benfica from Argentine club Vélez Sarsfield in January for a reported fee of €10 million. Considered one of Argentina's top young prospects, he has made a handful of appearances for the Portuguese giants but has yet to establish himself as a regular starter. This incident and the subsequent ban represent a significant early setback in his European career.
The sanction underscores UEFA's ongoing, though often criticised, efforts to combat discrimination in the sport. It also highlights the cross-competition enforcement of such bans, linking club misconduct to consequences for a player's international availability. For Benfica, the suspension depletes their attacking options in European competition, while for Prestianni, it casts a shadow over his integration into the squad and his prospects for the upcoming Copa América and World Cup qualifying campaign.
