Real Madrid News
FIFA extends Gianluca Prestianni ban over Vinicius insults worldwide
The sanction imposed by UEFA on Gianluca Prestianni following his incident with Vinicius Jr. during the Champions League match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid has now been extended globally by FIFA.
This decision significantly impacts the Argentine’s chances of participating in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What happened?
The incident occurred in February during a Champions League playoff match in Lisbon.
Following a goal by Vinicius, Prestianni was seen covering his mouth while addressing the Brazilian forward, leading to a stoppage in play as the referee activated anti-discrimination protocols.
Vinicius alleged racial abuse, and was backed by his teammate Kylian Mbappe, leading to UEFA opening an investigation.
While racist insults could not be proven, homophobic remarks were confirmed and led to the punishment.
Following the investigation, Prestianni received a six-match ban by UEFA, three of which are suspended pending future conduct. He has already served one match retroactively – the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Prestianni to miss two World Cup matches
Now, FIFA has has confirmed that the disciplinary sanction imposed on the Benfica winger will be extended to have worldwide effect.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA on SL Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni so that it has worldwide effect,” a FIFA spokesperson explained.
“The sanction has been extended in accordance with Article 70 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Having already served one match of the suspension, Prestianni will now be ineligible to play for Argentina in their first two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting next month.
The decision now rests with La Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni. If he includes Prestianni in the squad, he will be unavailable for at least the first two matches.
Source: AS
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
