Field Level Media
07 May 2026, 00:10 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Argentina forward Gianluca Prestianni could miss the first two matches of this summer's World Cup after FIFA agreed to extend his ban for verbally abusing Brazil's Vinicius Junior.
UEFA suspended Prestianni, 20, for six matches for an incident on Feb. 17. Playing for Portugal's Benfica in a Champions League match, Prestianni was accused of racially abusing the Real Madrid forward.
Prestianni denied using a racial slur -- UEFA couldn't prove it because he held his jersey over his mouth -- but admitted to making a homophobic remark.
On Wednesday, FIFA granted UEFA's request to apply the ban beyond European competitions.
'The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA ... to have worldwide effect,' FIFA said in a statement.
Prestianni already has served one match of the six-game ban, of which three games are suspended for a two-year period.
It remains to be seen whether he will be included on the defending champions' roster for the 2026 World Cup in North America. His only appearance for Argentina to date was a friendly in November against Angola.
Argentina open play in Group J against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, followed by matches against Austria on June 22 in Arlington, Texas, and Jordan on June 27, also in Arlington.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of BC Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to BC Post.
More InformationDUBAI, U.A.E: U.S. military leaders said a ceasefire remains in effect a day after Iran was blamed for new attacks in the Strait of...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An investigation was launched this week by the U.S. Department of Education into Smith College, an all-women's institution...
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: More than a week after the decision to block credentialed reporters from his government headquarters here,...
DUBLIN, Ireland: A taxi driver who refused a blind couple a ride at the taxi rank in Heuston Station in Dublin because they had a guide...
TEHRAN, Iran: Jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was in critical condition in a cardiac care unit in northwestern...
GENEVA, Switzerland: Medical teams were trying to evacuate two people who showed symptoms of the dangerous hantavirus after a suspected...
(Photo credit: GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK) The Detroit Tigers fired Triple-A manager Gabe Alvarez after an...
(Photo credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images) Andy Pages' career-best three home runs and six RBIs carried the visiting Los Angeles...
(Photo credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) The Detroit Tigers placed three-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber...
(Photo credit: Evan Petzold / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez received a six-game suspension...
(Photo credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images) Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow was removed after pitching one inning...
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 6 (ANI): Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan, along with the rest of the batters, helped Sunrisers...
