BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Argentina winger Gianluca Prestianni could miss the opening matches of the World Cup after FIFA extended his suspension to apply globally.
The 20-year-old Benfica player was originally handed a six-game ban by UEFA for discriminatory conduct, following allegations that he directed a homophobic slur at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during their Champions League playoff clash in February.
In a statement on Wednesday, FIFA confirmed that its Disciplinary Committee had enforced the sanction worldwide in line with Article 70 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, acting on a request from UEFA.
The decision means Prestianni will be unavailable for UEFA club competitions as well as competitive international fixtures. However, the ban does not apply to friendly matches or domestic league games.
With the suspension now extended globally, Prestianni risks missing Argentina’s first two World Cup group matches—should he be selected for the squad.
Originally, UEFA imposed a six-match suspension, with three of those games suspended for a probationary period. Prestianni has already served one match after missing the second leg of Benfica’s tie against Real Madrid.
Despite being considered a rising talent, Prestianni has limited experience at international level, having made just one appearance for Argentina—a late substitute outing in a friendly against Angola last November.
Argentina are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria, before facing Austria and Jordan in their remaining group matches.
