Audio By Carbonatix
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni will miss Argentina's first two matches of this summer's World Cup if selected, as his ban for abusing Vinicius Jr has been extended worldwide.
Prestianni, 20, was given a six-match ban by UEFA last month after he admitted using homophobic language towards Real Madrid's Vinicius during their Champions League match in February.
He will be banned for two further games, having already served a provisional one-match ban, with the other three suspended for two years.
Football's global governing body, FIFA, has accepted UEFA's request for a worldwide ban.
Prestianni has made only one appearance for Argentina, in a friendly against Angola in November 2025.
He was also called up by Lionel Scaloni in March but did not play in two friendlies.
Vinicius had initially accused Prestianni of racially abusing him, which Prestianni denied.
He would have faced a minimum 10-match ban from European competition if he had been found guilty of racist abuse.
If he is not selected in Argentina's World Cup squad, Prestianni will serve his ban in next season's Champions League or Europa League, with Benfica still battling for European qualification.
Prestianni raised his shirt to cover his mouth while speaking to Vinicius, and it has since been confirmed that players could be given a red card if they do this at the World Cup.
Latest Stories
-
UK Fire Aid donates fire tender, equipment to GNFS to boost emergency response
2 hours -
Man’s hand severed in cutlass clash at Akyem Nkwanum
2 hours -
McIlroy ‘more motivated than ever’ before return
2 hours -
No clear law governs re-arrest of discharged suspects – Justice Abdulai on Hanan, wife re-arrest
3 hours -
GES releases 2026/27 academic calendar; BECE set for May 2027
3 hours -
UCL: PSG beat Bayern on aggregate to set up final against Arsenal
3 hours -
Tariq Lamptey set to have Fiorentina contract terminated – Reports
3 hours -
Four burnt to death in head-on collision at Anyinasin Junction
3 hours -
Ghana, UAE agree to deepen energy and investment cooperation
4 hours -
Old Tafo Assembly cracks down on encroachment at Atimatim Junction
4 hours -
FIFA impose worldwide ban on Benfica’s Prestianni
4 hours -
Kasoa hillside residents fear erosion as climate change intensifies rainfall, experts call for urgent action
4 hours -
Stalled Kumasi, Takoradi market projects to resume as gov’t moves to secure funding
4 hours -
NPP demands release of Hanan Abdul-Wahab, wife, cites abuse of power by EOCO
6 hours -
GES warns schools against unauthorised fee collection from students
6 hours