UEFA have handed Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni a six-match suspension for discriminatory behaviour after he was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The incident took place during the first leg of the Champions League play-off clash between the two clubs in Lisbon on February 17. Vinicius Jr claimed that Prestianni had directed a racial slur at him following his opening goal.
UEFA launched an investigation and subsequently charged the player with homophobic conduct. The player will serve a two-match ban, having already been suspended for the second leg, with three additional matches suspended for two years. A statement from UEFA read: “Following the investigation of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, disciplinary proceedings were opened against the SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for a potential discriminatory conduct.
“The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has taken the following decision: To suspend SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for a total of six (6) UEFA club and/or representative national team official matches for which he would otherwise be eligible, for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct.”
“The suspension for three (3) of these matches is subject to a probationary period of two (2) years, starting from the date of the present decision.
“This decision (i.e. the six-match suspension) includes the one-match provisional suspension served by the player during UEFA Champions League 2025/26 knock-out play-off match played on 25 February 2026 between Real Madrid CF and SL Benfica.
“To request FIFA to extend worldwide the above-mentioned suspension.”
Prestianni was banned for the second leg of Benfica’s play-off with Real Madrid, and the player voiced his disappointment at the time.
“I have never been racist, and I never will be. What hurt me the most was to be accused of something I never did,” he said.
“It was something I didn’t say, and they punished me without proof.”
Benfica, without the winger, lost 2-1 and 3-1 on aggregate.
“I was very hurt that I couldn’t play the return leg,” he added. “But it’s over.
“I’m very grateful to my club, which believed in me and supported me in every way.
“Both the club and my teammates that showed me that [support] behind closed doors. [Benfica coach Jose] Mourinho is a great person. I spoke with him and my teammates to clarify things.
“I’m calm that those who know me know what type of person I am and that’s enough for me.”