Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a six-match ban by UEFA for verbally abusing Vincius Junior during a UEFA Champions League match earlier this season, European football’s governing body confirmed on Friday.
UEFA said in a statement that the punishment was imposed for “discriminatory (ie homophobic) behaviour”, underscoring its continued crackdown on abusive behavior in sport.
However, three of the six matches were suspended for a trial period, reducing the immediate impact of the sanction. Prestianni has already played one game under a provisional suspension, meaning he will have to play two more games as things stand.
UEFA added that the remaining matches of the ban could be served in international competitions if necessary, including Argentina, should the youngster be selected for upcoming matches. Argentina are scheduled to face Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City, followed by a clash with Austria five days later in Arlington.
The incident in Lisbon caused controversy
The disciplinary proceedings stem from an incident during a Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon in February. After that, the game became mired in controversy Vincius, who just scored, celebrated in front of the home fans at the corner flag.
The celebration appeared to provoke a strong reaction from the Benfica players and fans, leading to heated exchanges on the pitch. During the confrontation, Vincius accused Prestianni of directing racist abuse at him, specifically claiming that the Argentine had called him a “monkey”.
The situation escalated to the point where the match was suspended for nearly 10 minutes as officials attempted to restore order and deal with the incident.
UEFA strengthens its stance on discrimination
UEFA’s decision reflects its ongoing efforts to crack down on discrimination in football, particularly incidents involving racial or homophobic abuse. The governing body has introduced stricter disciplinary measures in recent years, including partial stadium closures, fines and player suspensions.
While a shortened immediate ban may allow Prestianni to return to club action more quickly, the probationary component of the ban means any repeat offense could result in a full six-match ban.
The case again focuses on the challenges football continues to face in dealing with abuse on the pitch, even at the highest level of the game.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
24 Apr 2026 20:28 IST
