Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, has suspended Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for six matches over alleged verbal discriminatory abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match between both clubs in February. 

Vinicius and his teammates had accused Prestianni of calling the Brazilian ‘monkey’ several times during the first leg of their knockout playoff match. However, Prestianni denied the allegations, insisting he only called Vinicius ‘cagon’ (coward) and a ‘maricon’ (faggot).

In a statement on Friday, Benfica confirmed that UEFA has handed Prestianni a six-match suspension for using ‘homophobic language’, a position that the Argentine footballer had maintained. 

Additionally, the club noted that three of those matches would be suspended for two years, while he must serve the remaining two in UEFA or FIFA competition matches. 

The initial one-match provisional suspension ahead of the second leg of the tie has counted towards his punishment.

The statement read, “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.”