FIFA Extends Sanction on Gianluca Prestianni for Discriminatory Conduct
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has extended globally the sanction imposed by UEFA on Gianluca Prestianni, an Argentinian player for Benfica. The original sanction, of six matches, is due to his discriminatory behavior during a Champions League match against Real Madrid. UEFA sanctioned Prestianni at the end of April, following an incident on February 17. During the first leg of the round of 32, the player covered his mouth and addressed Vinícius Júnior. The Real Madrid player reported to the referee that Prestianni had called him “monkey”. FIFA confirmed the extension of the sanction this Wednesday, responding to UEFA’s request and in compliance with Article 70 of its Disciplinary Code. Of the six-match suspension, Prestianni has already served one. This was in the second leg of the qualifier against Real Madrid, played at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 25. Three matches are suspended for a probationary period of two years, according to the UEFA decision. The extension of the sanction by FIFA worldwide could affect Argentina’s first two matches in the next World Cup if Prestianni is called up by Lionel Scaloni. These matches are against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16 in Kansas and against Austria on Monday, June 22 in Dallas.The incident occurred on April 24, when UEFA sanctioned Prestianni. The player was penalized for his behavior towards Vinicius, where he covered his mouth to address the Brazilian striker. The match referee, François Letexier, activated the corresponding protocol and the game was stopped for several minutes. The referee’s decision was based on the fact that neither he nor the refereeing team heard the alleged insult. Had they heard it, the offender would have received a red card, according to the rules of the game. The match resumed, ending with the team’s victory by 0-1. Prestianni denied having insulted Vinícius in a racist way. In an interview, he confirmed that he had called him “faggot”. UEFA investigated the incident and sanctioned Prestianni with six matches, three of which are suspended. The incident also led IFAB to make a decision on April 28. It was established that players who cover their mouths “to hide discriminatory behavior” will be sanctioned with a red card, starting from the World Cup. The IFAB explained that “at the discretion of the competition organizer, any player who covers their mouth in a situation of confrontation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card”.UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission sanctioned Prestianni with six matches for “discriminatory conduct (i.e., homophobic)”.
UEFA
