Benfica's Prestianni gets 6-match ban for anti-gay conduct towards Vinícius Jr. - ESPN

UEFA on Friday handed Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban for anti-gay conduct toward Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior during their Champions League match in February, with three of those matches suspended for a two-year period.

The ban also includes the one match Prestianni served as a provisional suspension in February, so unless he triggers the suspended three-match ban, he will actually be sidelined for only two further games.

Vinícius accused Prestianni of racially abusing him during their playoff first leg, leading the match to be paused for 10 minutes in the second half.

Vinícius scored to put Madrid ahead in the 50th minute in Lisbon — the only goal in a 1-0 win — and was then confronted by Prestianni after celebrating by the corner flag.

Prestianni could be seen speaking to Vinícius while covering his mouth with his jersey, before the Brazil international pointed to him and ran toward the referee.

Vinícius spoke to referee Francois Letexier, who made the «arms-crossed» gesture indicating that an accusation of racist abuse had been made.

However, sources told ESPN's Bruno Andrade that the Argentinian, 20, gave evidence stating that he called Vinícius the anti-gay slur «m------» in Spanish, rather than «mono,» which is Spanish for monkey.

UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator after the match, and the probe concluded Friday that Prestianni's conduct was anti-gay rather than racist.

UEFA said it had requested that FIFA extend the ban worldwide.

UEFA last month fined Benfica for racist abuse by fans at the same match.

Benfica acknowledged the ban in a statement on Friday.

«Sport Lisboa e Benfica announces that it has been notified by UEFA of the sanction imposed on the player Prestianni for