By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, April 25, 2026 -UEFA have taken disciplinary action against Gianluca Prestianni, handing the Benfica winger a six-match suspension after finding him guilty of discriminatory conduct toward Vinícius Júnior during a UEFA Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid.
The incident, which occurred during a knockout play-off match in Lisbon earlier this year, sparked controversy after Vinícius alleged he had been abused. The situation escalated quickly, forcing officials to temporarily halt the match for around ten minutes as UEFA’s anti-discrimination protocols were activated.
Following an investigation by UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, the governing body concluded that while the abuse was not racial, it did constitute homophobic discrimination—an offence treated with equal seriousness under UEFA regulations.
The Incident and Investigation#
The incident began shortly after Vinícius scored during the match, celebrating in front of the home crowd before becoming involved in a confrontation with Prestianni. During the exchange, the Benfica player was seen covering his mouth while speaking, an action that has drawn scrutiny in football as it can obscure potentially abusive language.
Vinícius immediately reported the incident to the referee, triggering a formal stoppage and subsequent investigation. Initial reports suggested possible racial abuse, but further evidence, including player statements, clarified that the language used was homophobic.
Prestianni later admitted to using offensive language, though he downplayed its seriousness, describing it as common in certain football environments—an explanation that did not affect the disciplinary outcome.
UEFA’s ruling imposes a six-match ban, structured to include both immediate punishment and conditional suspension. Three matches are suspended for a probationary period of two years, meaning they will only apply if a similar offence occurs again. One match had already been served as a provisional suspension, leaving the player to serve the remaining fixtures across UEFA competitions.
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UEFA has also requested that FIFA extend the sanction globally, which could impact Prestianni’s international participation.
The case reinforces UEFA’s stance on discriminatory behaviour, making clear that all forms—racial, homophobic, or otherwise—are treated with equal severity.
It also adds to the challenges faced by Vinícius Júnior, who has been at the centre of multiple abuse-related incidents and has become a prominent voice against discrimination in football.
Beyond the individuals involved, the case could influence future regulations, including discussions around banning players from covering their mouths during confrontations to improve accountability.
The ban marks a significant moment early in Prestianni’s career, raising broader questions about conduct and responsibility at the highest level of the game.