Gianluca Prestianni banned: UEFA confirms punishment for Benfica player after Vinicius Jr. flashpoint
Gianluca Prestianni banned: UEFA confirms punishment for Benfica player after Vinicius Jr. flashpoint originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Real Madrid 's Champions League playoff clash with Benfica in February was plunged into controversy after Vinicius Jr. brilliantly opened the scoring for the visitors in Lisbon. The Brazil star alleged he was abused after celebrating his goal in the 1-0 win and immediately informed the referee, who initiated the anti-racism protocol that saw the game halted for around 10 minutes.
Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was at the centre of the flashpoint after he was seen covering his mouth with his shirt as he spoke to Vinicius. Prestianni and Benfica denied he made racist remarks. The winger argued that Vinicius misheard him, adding: "I was never racist and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players.
" UEFA handed Prestianni a provisional one-game ban while it investigated the incident. On April 24, UEFA announced its Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body had reached a verdict. MORE: Vinicius Jr.
incident in Benfica vs. Real Madrid: Explaining Champions League incident, Mourinho reaction Gianluca Prestianni suspended for homophobic abuse UEFA has handed Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban for homophobic conduct. Prestianni's provisional suspension, served during the second leg against Madrid, counts as part of the ban.