Gianluca Prestianni, the 20-year-old Argentine winger from Benfica, was handed a six-match ban by UEFA on Friday, following alleged racist insults directed at Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian international from Real Madrid, during the Champions League play-off match in Lisbon.
Benfica announced the news with this official statement: "Sport Lisboa e Benfica announces that it has been notified by UEFA of the sanction imposed on player Prestianni for the use of homophobic language during the Benfica-Real Madrid match.
"Prestianni has been suspended for six matches, with three of those suspended for a period of two years. Of the three matches he must serve, one has already been completed, and the remaining two must be served in UEFA matches or with the Argentina national team in FIFA competitions."