Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a six-match ban by Uefa for homophobic conduct towards Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match. Three matches of the suspension are suspended for two years, meaning Prestianni will serve only two further games after a one-game provisional ban already served.
The incident occurred during the knockout playoff round first leg in Lisbon on 17 February. Vinícius alleged he was abused after Prestianni was seen addressing him while covering his mouth with his shirt. The Brazilian briefly left the pitch, causing a ten-minute stoppage, and Uefa subsequently appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator.
Uefa's investigation determined the conduct was homophobic rather than racist. Under Article 14 of Uefa's disciplinary regulations, such offences typically carry a minimum ten-match ban. The control, ethics and disciplinary body has not yet published its reasoning for the reduced sanction, but Prestianni is understood to have accepted his guilt.
Uefa announced it will ask Fifa to extend the suspension to include international matches, which would see the Argentina international miss the first two games of the World Cup. The incident is also expected to prompt a rule change, with the International Football Association Board meeting in Canada next week to discuss penalising players who cover their mouths during confrontations.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has stated that any player covering their mouth to say something with racist consequences should be sent off, arguing there must be a presumption of wrongdoing. Article 14 mandates at least a ten-match suspension for insulting human dignity on grounds including sexual orientation.
