UEFA has handed Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban for verbally abusing Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match, ruling the incident constituted homophobic abuse rather than racism as initially alleged.
The Portuguese winger was found guilty of using abusive language toward the Brazilian forward in the aftermath of Benfica’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on February 19, 2026. UEFA’s disciplinary committee determined the remarks violated Article 11(2)(b) of its disciplinary regulations, which prohibits conduct that insults the dignity of a person or group based on sexual orientation.
Prestianni, who joined Benfica from Vélez Sarsfield in the summer of 2025, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, claiming he was punished “without proof” in statements to ESPN following the announcement. The Argentine winger said he felt disappointed by UEFA’s process, insisting he did not direct any offensive remarks at Vinícius Júnior during or after the match at Estádio da Luz.
Despite Prestianni’s protests, UEFA upheld the sanction after reviewing match officials’ reports, audio-visual evidence and witness statements. The six-match suspension applies to all UEFA club competitions, meaning Prestianni will miss Benfica’s remaining Champions League fixtures as well as any potential Europa League or Conference League matches if the club drops into those tournaments.
The ruling adds to a growing list of high-profile disciplinary cases involving Vinícius Júnior, who has frequently been targeted by opposing fans and players due to his celebrations and outspoken stance against racism in football. In this instance, however, UEFA specifically cited the homophobic nature of the alleged remarks, distinguishing it from previous incidents where racism was the primary focus of investigations.
Benfica has not issued an official statement appealing the decision, though internal sources suggest the club may consider legal avenues if they believe procedural errors occurred. For now, Prestianni must serve his ban, which began immediately following the UEFA announcement on April 24, 2026.
His absence will be felt in Benfica’s upcoming Champions League second leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 12, 2026, where they face a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. Without Prestianni’s pace and direct attacking threat on the wing, Benfica’s coach Bruno Lage will demand to adjust his tactics, potentially relying more on Ángel Di María or bringing in younger options from the bench.
Looking ahead, Prestianni’s suspension could impact his availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Argentina, depending on how the timing aligns with international breaks. However, as of now, no conflicts with CONMEBOL fixtures have been identified that would extend the sanction beyond UEFA competitions.
The case underscores UEFA’s ongoing efforts to enforce its zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory behavior in football, regardless of whether the abuse is rooted in racism, homophobia, or other forms of prejudice. By issuing a substantial sanction in this case, European football’s governing body aims to send a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated on or off the pitch.
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