Uefa announced this Friday the suspension of six games for Benfica striker Gianluca Prestianni. The punishment came after an investigation into the incident with Vinícius Júnior in the first game of the Champions League playoff on February 17.
The entity’s Comitê of Controle, Ética and Disciplina considered the case to be discriminatory conduct. Três matches must be fulfilled immediately. The other three are suspended for a probationary period of two years.
Detalhes of the punishment applied by the disciplinary body
The decision includes the provisional suspension of a match that Prestianni already completed in the second leg on February 25th. With that, the Argentine has two effective games to play in Uefa competitions from now on.
The entity also asked Fifa to extend the punishment worldwide. If accepted, the player can miss the Benfica in the Liga Portuguesa and the Argentine team in official commitments, including the Copa of the Mundo.
- Três games immediate suspension, with one already served
- Três games on probation for two years
- Global extension Pedido to Fifa
- Aplicação in club and national team competitions
Relembre what happened in Estádio of Luz
The episode occurred five minutes into the second half. Vinícius Júnior scored for Real Madrid and celebrated with a dance. The Benfica fans booed intensely.
Prestianni approached the Brazilian during the discussion. The Argentine covered his mouth with his shirt. Vinícius Júnior went to the referee and reported hearing a racist insult. The anti-racism protocol stopped the match for around six minutes.
The game continued after the stoppage. Real Madrid won 1-0. In the second half, coach José Mourinho was sent off. Kylian Mbappé defended his teammate after the final whistle.
Investigação concluded for punishment
Uefa opened proceedings following a report from an ethics and discipline inspector. Prestianni denied any racist insults. Ele admitted to having used common terms in Argentine football, such as homophobic expressions.
The body understood that there was no proof of racism. The punishment fell on discriminatory conduct. The Argentine had already been provisionally suspended for one match shortly after the incident. Benfica appealed unsuccessfully at the initial stage.
The case gained international repercussion. Mbappé reported hearing repeated insults. Real Madrid delivered a dossier with elements to the European body. Prestianni said in interviews that the accusation hurt him and that he never used racist terms.
Impacto to Benfica and player career
Prestianni, 20 years old, lost space immediately after the incident. Benfica was eliminated in the next stage of the playoff. The Argentine was on the Scaloni list for March’s Data Fifa, but the global punishment could affect future call-ups.
The Portuguese club has not yet officially commented on the final decision. The effective suspension should begin in the next Liga rounds of Campeões or Europa League, depending on the calendar.
The punishment reinforces Uefa’s rigor in cases of discrimination. Article 14 of the disciplinary regulations provides for sanctions for discriminatory conduct. Neste case, the agency applied six matches with a conditional part.
Próximos steps and extension of Fifa
Fifa should analyze Uefa’s request in the coming days. If the extension is confirmed, Prestianni will be left out of Portuguese Primeira Liga games and national teams. The Argentine has a history of good performances for Benfica before the episode.
Real Madrid followed the outcome of the case. Vinícius Júnior remains a reference in campaigns against racism in football. This Friday’s decision ends the European disciplinary phase over the February incident.