Gianluca Prestianni’s World Cup dreams suffer major blow after FIFA extends ban
Argentina international Gianluca Prestianni's hopes of representing his country at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have been dealt a major blow after a ruling was reached regarding his six-game ban handed down by UEFA
Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was banned for six games by UEFA for the use of homophobic language towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. in the Champions League -Credit:Valter Gouveia/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images Back in February, during a UEFA Champions League playoff opener between Benfica and Real Madrid, Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni directed a comment at Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. shortly after he’d celebrated what proved the game’s sole goal.
Covering his mouth in the process, the Benfica player’s comments immediately prompted Vinicius Jr. to make the referee aware of what he claimed were racist comments made by the Argentina international. Prestianni wound up being banned for the second leg , with Benfica losing 3-1 on aggregate and dropping out of the competition.
New Jersey officials confirm eye-watering World Cup train prices after Governor's FIFA criticism Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike shares emotional post following Achilles surgery Prestianni's ban will now also apply to FIFA games -Credit:Angel Martinez/Getty Images A subsequent UEFA investigation ultimately slapped Prestianni with a six-game ban in April for the use of what was eventually deemed homophobic language used towards Vinicius Jr. Having already missed one game, Prestianni was told he would have to miss two further games, while the three additional games were suspended for two years. Meanwhile, UEFA requested that FIFA extend Prestianni’s ban beyond its boundaries to include games under its jurisdiction- which has now been approved, as per ESPN .
In a statement, the global governing body of soccer explained, “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA on Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to have worldwide effect. ” As such, should Lionel Scaloni select Prestianni as part of his 26-player roster for this summer’s World Cup in the U. S.