Overview
- UEFA announced Friday a six-match suspension for Gianluca Prestianni, with three games active and three suspended for two years, and confirmed he already served one match.
- The case stems from the February 17 playoff in Lisbon, where Vinícius Júnior reported abuse and Prestianni later admitted using the homophobic slur “maricón.”
- UEFA said it will request FIFA to apply the sanction worldwide, which could keep the 20-year-old out of World Cup games if he is selected by Argentina.
- Benfica said it was notified of the ruling as UEFA also fined the club €40,000 and ordered a 500-seat partial stadium closure for one year, suspended, for fan behavior in the same match.
- Reaction was swift as the players’ union called the punishment a needed example and said homophobic abuse is as serious as racist abuse, a former captain voiced discomfort with the outcome, and a lawyer urged an appeal within three days.