UEFA BANS BENFICA’S PRESTIANNI SIX MATCHES OVER DISCRIMINATORY CONDUCT IN REAL MADRID CLASH
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
UEFA has handed Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban following a controversial incident during their Champions League clash against Real Madrid in February.
The European football governing body said it sanctioned the Argentine “for discriminatory (i.e., homophobic) conduct,” with three of the matches suspended for a two-year probationary period.
UEFA added that Prestianni, 20, had already served one of the matches during the second leg of the Champions League play-off against Madrid.
The winger had initially been provisionally banned for that fixture after Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused him of racism following an altercation in the first leg on February 17, an allegation Prestianni denied.
During the exchange, Prestianni spoke to Vinicius while covering his mouth, after which the Brazilian lodged a complaint with the referee, resulting in the match being suspended for 10 minutes.
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said after the game that Prestianni had told him he did not racially abuse Vinicius but instead used a homophobic slur.
UEFA also stated that it has requested FIFA “to extend worldwide the above-mentioned suspension.”
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