Prestianni, a rising star at SL Benfica, was initially handed a six-match ban by UEFA after being found guilty of using homophobic language toward Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League playoff clash at the Estádio da Luz in February.
While part of the suspension was to be served in club competitions, UEFA recommended that the sanction be extended internationally. FIFA’s disciplinary committee has now confirmed that decision, making the ban applicable worldwide.
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Under the ruling, the 20-year-old Argentine will serve three matches immediately, with the remaining three suspended for a two-year probation period. Having already completed one match of the ban, Prestianni now faces missing additional fixtures, including potential appearances for the national team.
The Gianluca Prestianni ban could significantly impact his chances at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, as he may be ruled out of Argentina’s first two matches if selected for the squad. The youngster has only one senior cap but has been part of recent call-ups, signaling his growing importance to the team.
Officials say the decision reinforces football’s zero-tolerance stance on discriminatory behaviour, with governing bodies keen to ensure consistency in disciplinary actions across domestic and international competitions.
For Argentina, the situation presents a potential selection dilemma, as one of their promising young midfielders could be unavailable at a crucial stage of the tournament.
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