Tough UEFA sanction for Benfica's Argentine Gianluca Prestianni for discriminatory conduct against Vinícius
UEFA suspended Benfica's Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni for six matches for "discriminatory" behavior, although three of those games are suspended for a period of two years.
TL;DR
- Gianluca Prestianni, a 20-year-old Argentine player for Benfica, has been suspended for six UEFA matches.
- Three of the matches are suspended for two years, provided Prestianni does not reoffend.
- The suspension is for "discriminatory behavior (i.e., homophobic)" directed at Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr.
- The incident occurred during the first leg of the Champions League playoffs on February 17th, leading to an anti-racism protocol being activated.
- UEFA will request FIFA to extend the suspension globally, potentially affecting Prestianni's participation with the Argentine national team.
- Prestianni had previously denied the accusations on social media and was already suspended for the second leg of the tie.