Prestianni will effectively be banned for two more matches after UEFA said a further three-match ban would be “subject to a two-year probationary period, starting from the date of this decision”. He has already served a provisional one-game suspension.
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The Argentine winger was accused of insulting Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr during the Spanish team’s 1-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs in February.
The first leg was suspended for 11 minutes shortly after Vinicius gave Real the lead early in the second half.
Television footage showed Prestianni repeatedly covering his mouth with his shirt before making comments that Vinicius and his close teammates interpreted as a racial slur against the 25-year-old.
Prestianni had denied the accusation of making a racist comment, saying Vinicius misheard him. Aurelien Tchouameni, of Real Madrid, said that the Argentine told him that he did not call Vinicius a “monkey”, but directed a homophobic comment at him.
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UEFA also said it would ask FIFA to extend the suspension to everyone.
The suspension also includes a provisional one-match suspension that Prestianni served during the second leg of the knockout tie on February 25, which Real Madrid won 2-1 to advance.
Benfica claimed to have been notified of the sanction imposed on Prestianni.
“Of the three matches of the current sanction, one has already been served and the remaining two must be served in UEFA or Argentine national team matches in the context of FIFA,” Benfica said.
Prestianni has played for Argentina only once, making his debut as a late substitute in a friendly match against Angola in November.
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This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Gianluca Prestianni suspended for homophobia vs. real Madrid