UEFA ban Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni over alleged racist comment towards Vinicius Jr

Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni has been slapped with a six-game ban by UEFA -Credit:Joao Bravo/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images UEFA have handed Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni a six-game 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 encounter 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-game ban — having already sat out the second leg — with three additional games suspended for two years. Tottenham Hotspur slapped with fine and warning by UEFA after Champions League game Italian officials slam ‘shameful’ proposal from Trump envoy for Azzuri to replace Iran at World Cup The ban stems from allegations made by Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior that the Benfica winger directed racist language towards him -Credit:AP A statement from UEFA reads, via The Mirror : "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.