Prestianni Handed Six-Match Ban For Homophobic Slur In Champions League Clash

Gianluca Prestianni, the SL Benfica winger, has been handed a six-match suspension by UEFA following an incident involving Vinícius Júnior during a heated Champions League knockout play-off against Real Madrid.

The February encounter at Estádio da Luz was temporarily halted for 10 minutes after Vinícius reported alleged abuse to referee François Letexier. The Brazilian forward initially believed he had been subjected to racist abuse.

However, following an investigation, UEFA concluded that Prestianni had used a homophobic slur rather than racist language. The 20-year-old denied making any racist remark, insisting his words had been misinterpreted. His account was partially supported by Aurélien Tchouaméni, who stated that Prestianni admitted to making a homophobic comment instead.

The disciplinary ruling includes an immediate suspension, with part of the sanction already served as a provisional ban. An additional portion of the punishment has been suspended for two years, contingent on future conduct. UEFA has also formally requested that FIFA extend the ban worldwide.

The incident unfolded shortly after Vinícius had given Real Madrid the lead and was subsequently booked for an exuberant celebration. Following a brief exchange with Prestianni, the Brazilian forward alerted the referee, who responded by making the now-recognised crossed-arms gesture introduced in 2024 to signal incidents of discriminatory abuse.

Vinícius briefly left the pitch in protest, accompanied by several teammates, underlining the seriousness of the situation. In a post-match message on social media, he condemned discrimination, writing: “Racists are, above all, cowards.”

Benfica initially stood firmly behind their player, describing the situation as a “defamation campaign” and expressing full confidence in his version of events. However, manager José Mourinho took a stern stance, warning that Prestianni’s future at the club would be untenable if any form of abuse were proven.

The case has reignited broader discussions around player conduct and accountability. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has since suggested that players who cover their mouths during on-field confrontations should face dismissal, a proposal now under review by International Football Association Board as part of ongoing efforts to improve transparency and curb abuse in the game.