UEFA banned Gianluca Prestianni for six matches after a discriminatory comment directed at Vinicius Junior during a Champions League play-off between Real Madrid and Benfica in Lisbon on 17 February.
UEFA confirmed that the comment did not meet the threshold for racism but classified it as homophobic. The governing body acted after its ethics and disciplinary inspector completed an investigation into the incident.
The six-match ban includes three matches suspended for two years. Prestianni also already served a one-match provisional suspension in February, which counts towards the total sanction. He will therefore serve two additional matches unless the suspended portion activates.
Vinicius raised the complaint during the match after reporting the remark. The situation escalated on the pitch and forced a temporary stoppage, which disrupted the game for around 10 minutes.
Prestianni denied making a racist comment but admitted to using homophobic language. UEFA based its decision on the findings of its investigation and applied disciplinary measures under regulations covering discriminatory conduct.
The incident occurred during a match that Real Madrid won 1-0. Vinicius scored the decisive goal and celebrated before the confrontation that led to the disciplinary case.
