UEFA bans Prestianni for six matches for homophobic abuse of Vinícius, no firm evidence of racism found | OneFootball

UEFA has banned Gianluca Prestianni for six matches for homophobic conduct towards Vinícius during Benfica’s Champions League play-off with Real Madrid, having found no conclusive evidence of racist abuse.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Benfica forward admitted calling the Brazilian "maricón", describing the term as commonplace in Argentina.

The incident came after a Madrid goal, when Prestianni approached Vinícius and spoke while covering his mouth with his shirt. Vinícius reported to the referee that he had been racially abused, and team-mates, including Mbappé, later said he was called a monkey five times.

Prestianni was provisionally suspended for the return leg at the Bernabéu. More than two months on, the punishment has been made definitive and FIFA has been asked to adopt it, which would apply at the World Cup if Lionel Scaloni selects him, as in recent matches.

The sanction is for homophobic conduct only and is split in two parts. The first three matches are fixed, including the Bernabéu game already missed, while the other three are suspended for two years provided he does not repeat discriminatory behaviour.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo