British portal The Athletic revealed this Wednesday that FIFA, at UEFA’s request, extended the suspension for homophobia applied to Gianluca Prestianni worldwide. The Benfica player was punished with a six-match ban, three of which are suspended.
More bad news for Gianluca Prestianni. The British portal The Athletic revealed, early Wednesday afternoon, that FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee accepted UEFA’s request and extended the suspension for homophobia applied to the Benfica player worldwide. This news could keep the Argentinian out of the World Cup.
About a week and a half ago, the Benfica player was punished by UEFA for “homophobic language” in the game between Benfica and Real Madrid, after being accused of racism by Vinícius Júnior. In an official statement, the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee indicated a six-match ban, three of which are suspended. Meanwhile, the accusation of racism against the Brazilian winger by the Argentinian player has been dropped.
Now, following a request from UEFA, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has determined that the punishment applied to Prestianni extends worldwide, which could keep the forward out of the start of the qualifying phase for this summer’s World Cup.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match suspension imposed by UEFA on Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to take effect worldwide,” a FIFA spokesperson confirmed, quoted by the British website The Athletic.
In practical terms, if called up by Lionel Scaloni for the Argentinian national team, the 20-year-old Prestianni could miss the two opening matches of the world champions in the World Cup, which this year will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Argentina, which will play friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before its World Cup debut, faces Algeria (June 17) and Austria (June 22) in the first few matches. A possible debut for Prestianni in the 2026 World Cup will happen in the last group stage match against Jordan (June 28).
Prestianni, who has only one international cap, was in the squad for the March friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia.
