UEFA bans Prestianni six matches for anti‑gay slur
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- UEFA handed Prestianni a six‑match ban, with three matches suspended for two years, after concluding his conduct was anti‑gay rather than racist.
- Prestianni served one match as a provisional suspension in February, leaving two further UEFA or FIFA‑sanctioned matches to be served.
- Vinícius accused Prestianni of racist abuse during the Champions League playoff, prompting a 10‑minute match pause before evidence clarified the slur as anti‑gay.
- Benfica acknowledged the sanction and noted the ban applies to club and Argentina national team matches, while also facing a separate UEFA fine for fan racism.
- FIFA was asked by UEFA to extend the ban worldwide, affecting Prestianni’s availability beyond European competition.
Why it matters: Benfica loses Prestianni for two UEFA matches, while UEFA’s six‑match ban (three suspended) removes him from club and national duties, and the sanction reinforces anti‑discrimination enforcement across European football, prompting tighter club‑level monitoring.
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