After a discriminatory statement in the Champions League game against Real Madrid in mid-February, Argentine professional Gianluca Prestianni from Benfica Lisbon was banned for six games. This was decided by the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the European Football Union (UEFA). Accordingly, Prestianni, who clashed with Real’s Vinícius Júnior in the game, made homophobic comments.
Impact on World Cup?
In fact, Prestianni only has to miss two games as he was already suspended for the playoff second leg against Real after the incident in the first leg. Three other games were placed on probation for two years. According to UEFA, the ban also applies to games with the national team and could therefore have an impact on the World Cup in the summer if Prestianni is nominated. The continental association has requested the world association FIFA that the ban also apply worldwide.
After the playoff first leg in February, the 20-year-old Prestianni was initially suspected of making racist comments. According to Vinícius Júnior and his teammate Kylian Mbappé, Prestianni is said to have racially insulted the Real player after his goal to make it 1-0. The Argentine denied the allegations; in the scene he had pulled his jersey over his mouth.