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UEFA hands historic ban to Gianluca Prestianni for racist insults toward Vinicius
UEFA took a firm stance. Prestianni’s punishment could go far beyond European competitions.
UEFA delivers a strong decision
UEFA has handed a six-match suspension to Gianluca Prestianni, a player for Benfica, for discriminatory conduct following racist insults directed at Vinicius during a UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.
The decision comes after an investigation by UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, which concluded that the Argentine player breached regulations regarding discriminatory behavior.
The details of the sanction
Out of the six matches, three have been suspended for a two-year probation period. Prestianni had already served a provisional one-match ban after the game played on February 25, 2026.
The suspension applies to both club and international competitions under UEFA’s jurisdiction, significantly limiting his participation in European tournaments in the short term.
The World Cup at stake
One of the most significant aspects of the case is UEFA’s request to FIFA to extend the sanction worldwide. If approved, the ban could prevent Prestianni from participating in the next FIFA World Cup.
This possibility raises the stakes considerably, as the punishment could go beyond Europe and directly impact his international career.
A case that reignites the debate
The incident took place during the Benfica vs Real Madrid tie, when Vinicius reported being insulted after scoring a goal. The case was reviewed under Article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations for discriminatory conduct.
After his appeal was rejected, UEFA confirmed the final sanction, in a case that once again puts the spotlight on the fight against racism in football.
