Benfica Star Prestianni Banned by UEFA Over Vinicius Controversy

UEFA has banned Benfica star Prestianni over the Vinicius controversy.

Philips News reports that UEFA has handed Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban following alleged racist insults directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during both sides’ UEFA Champions League play-off match in Lisbon some weeks ago.

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Benfica announced the news in an official statement on Friday, April 24, 2026, saying it had received a notification from UEFA.

According to the statement, Prestianni was suspended for “six matches” for the use of homophobic language during Benfica’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid in March.

PhilipsNews recalls that the Champions League playoff was overshadowed by several troubling incidents, most notably when Vinicius accused Prestianni of using racist slurs against him.

The UEFA Champions League playoff first leg encounter was played in Lisbon, and UEFA later banned Prestianni for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.