Uefa has suspended Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni for six European matches after finding him guilty of homophobic conduct towards Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior. Three matches of the ban are suspended for two years, meaning Prestianni may serve only two further matches after already serving a one-game provisional ban.
The incident occurred during the Champions League knockout playoff round match in Lisbon on 17 February. Vinícius alleged he was racially abused after Prestianni addressed him while covering his mouth with his shirt. Vinícius temporarily left the pitch, causing a 10-minute stoppage. Uefa appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator after the match.
The investigation determined Prestianni's conduct was homophobic rather than racist. Under Article 14 of Uefa's disciplinary regulations, such offences typically carry a 10-match ban. The Uefa control, ethics and disciplinary body has not yet published its reasons for the reduced punishment, but Prestianni is understood to have accepted his guilt.
Uefa announced it would ask Fifa to extend the suspension to include international matches, which would mean the Argentina international would miss the first two games of the World Cup. The incident is also likely to prompt a rule change, with the International Football Association Board meeting next week to consider how players covering their mouths during confrontations should be dealt with.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino said last month that any such behaviour should result in a red card, stating: 'If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.'
