Gianluca Prestianni to miss start of World Cup if selected by Argentina after Vinicius Jr incident

WorldFootball
6 May 2026 • 9:44 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Gianluca Prestianni to miss start of World Cup if selected by Argentina after Vinicius Jr incident

  • Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni has received a worldwide ban from football, extended by Fifa, following an initial six-match suspension from Uefa.
  • The ban was imposed after Prestianni admitted to using homophobic language towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League fixture on 17 February.
  • Uefa's control, ethics and disciplinary body (CEDB) issued the six-game ban on 24 April, with three matches suspended for two years and one already served.
  • The global extension of the ban means Prestianni would be ineligible for Argentina’s opening two World Cup matches this summer, should he be selected in their squad.
  • A Fifa proposal was recently approved allowing competitions to issue a red card to players who cover their mouth when confronting an opponent, a practice Prestianni used during his altercation with Vinicius Jr.

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