FIFA confirmed a global ban Wednesday for Gianluca Prestianni that will rule the Benfica winger out of two World Cup games in the United States if he is selected in Argentina’s squad.
UEFA imposed a six-game ban — with three games deferred on probation — on Prestianni two weeks ago for his verbal abuse of Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior in the Champions League. Prestianni covered his mouth with his jersey while using the insult.
FIFA has now, as expected, fulfilled UEFA’s request to apply the ban beyond European competitions to the World Cup that starts next month.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA on Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to have worldwide effect,” the soccer body said in a statement.
It is unclear if Prestianni is still in Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni’s plans to defend the World Cup title. Argentina starts against Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City and plays Austria five days later in Arlington, Texas. The group also includes World Cup debutant Jordan.
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The 20-year-old winger made his first and solely look for Argentina in a pleasant in November. He was an unused substitute in Argentina’s most up-to-date recreation, a World Cup warmup towards Zambia on March 31.
When Scaloni known as up Prestianni in March for the warmups, he didn’t handle the continuing UEFA investigation. Scaloni famous he wanted the Benfica participant as a result of Paulo Dybala was unavailable.
UEFA had investigated Prestianni for a racist insult alleged by Vinícius with help from Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé. They claimed Prestianni used the Spanish phrase for “monkey,” which he disguised by elevating his crimson jersey to cowl his mouth.
UEFA couldn’t show the racial insult which Prestianni denied, although he admitted utilizing a homophobic slur.
Prestianni already served the primary recreation of his ban when UEFA barred him enjoying towards Madrid within the second leg of their Champions League knockout playoff in February.
Final week, FIFA’s push to make it a crimson card offense for World Cup gamers to cowl their mouth when insulting an opponent was handed by soccer’s rulemaking panel referred to as IFAB.
If Prestianni shouldn’t be chosen by Argentina, he’ll serve the remainder of his ban in a UEFA-organized European competitors subsequent season.
Reporting by The Related Press.
