FIFA has extended Gianluca Prestianni’s six-game suspension for homophobic conduct to apply globally, putting his availability for the opening games of Argentina’s World Cup campaign in doubt.
The Benfica winger was handed a six-game ban by UEFA following allegations he aimed a slur at Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during their Champions League play-off round clash in February.
Prestianni was initially accused of using a racial remark against Vinicius. The 20-year-old denied any wrongdoing but Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said he heard a homophobic slur used.
UEFA gave Prestianni a one-match prima facie as its investigation into the matter continued. The subsequent six-game sanction saw three games suspended for two years, with one already viewed as served as Prestianni missed the second leg of the Madrid tie due to the prima facie punishment.
With FIFA now extending the ban worldwide, Prestianni would be poised to miss Argentina’s opening two games of their title defence at this summer’s World Cup in North America.
The ban applies to UEFA club competition fixtures and competitive international matches, but not to domestic league games or friendlies.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA on SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to have worldwide effect,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“The sanction has been extended in accordance with article 70 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Which games would Prestianni miss?
Prestianni won his first and only cap for Argentina in a friendly with Angola in November last year.
If selected for the World Cup, he would be unavailable for selection for Argentina’s opening Group J clash with Algeria on June 16 and the meeting with Austria six days later.
Argentina round off their group stage campaign against Jordan on June 27.
Though Argentina will be expected to ease through the group stage regardless of Prestianni’s involvement, his suspension could impact Lionel Scaloni’s decision-making when it comes to picking his squad for the tournament.
Prestianni was included in Argentina’s squad for the friendlies with Mauritania and Zambia in March but did not feature in either game.
