UEFA has handed Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni a six-match suspension following an accusation of racial abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The incident occurred during the first leg of the Champions League play-off tie between the two clubs in Lisbon on February 17. Vinicius Jr claimed that Prestianni directed a racial insult at him after scoring the opening goal.
An investigation was launched by European football's governing body, which subsequently charged the player with discriminatory conduct. The ban includes a two-match suspension that Prestianni must serve immediately, with three further games suspended for a probationary period of two years. The suspension also accounts for the one-match provisional ban already served by the player during the second leg of the tie on February 25, 2026.
A UEFA statement read: 'Following the investigation of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, disciplinary proceedings were opened against the SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for a potential discriminatory conduct. The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has taken the following decision: To suspend SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for a total of six (6) UEFA club and/or representative national team official matches for which he would otherwise be eligible, for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct. The suspension for three (3) of these matches is subject to a probationary period of two (2) years, starting from the date of the present decision. This decision (i.e. the six-match suspension) includes the one-match provisional suspension served by the player during UEFA Champions League 2025/26 knock-out play-off match played on 25 February 2026 between Real Madrid CF and SL Benfica. To request FIFA to extend worldwide the above-mentioned suspension.'
This ruling underscores UEFA's commitment to combating discrimination in football. More details on this developing story are expected as further updates become available.
