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The International Federation cooperates with its European counterpart and disappoints the player before the World Cup
The International Football Federation (FIFA) has responded to the request of its European counterpart, UEFA, regarding the punishment imposed on Benfica’s Argentinian Gianluca Pristiani for allowing a racist expression towards Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during the meeting of the two teams in the current season of the Champions League.
Vinicius accused the Argentinian player of racially abusing him during the first leg of their Champions League final qualifying first leg match in Lisbon on February 17, which Real Madrid won 1-0.
According to the Brazilian star, Pristiani called him a “monkey” after scoring the winning goal.
Last April 24. UEFA announced that Pristiani was suspended for 6 official matches At the level of European clubs and/or national teams in which he had the right to participate, the execution of 3 matches of this penalty will be suspended for a period of two years starting from the date of publication of this decision.
He noted that the decision (six-match suspension) includes the temporary suspension the player played in the 2025-2026 Champions League play-off match between Real Madrid and Benfica on February 25, 2026.
In its statement, the European Union also confirmed that it has called on FIFA to extend the validity of this penalty worldwide.
In turn, the spokesperson of FIFA, as the Spanish newspaper “AS” notes, today, Wednesday, “The Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-game ban imposed on Pristiani by the European Union, so that it has a global effect, according to Article 70 of the Disciplinary Regulations.”
Based on a decision by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the player will be ineligible for at least the first two matches of the World Cup if called up to Argentina’s squad, with the possibility of adding to the matches he will miss if the offense is repeated before or during the tournament.
The decision is now in the hands of Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who realizes that if the player is called up, he will not be able to count on him for at least the first two matches of the group stage.
Although Pristiani appeared in Tango’s latest squad lists, he was not a key element, which leaves the coaching staff with a tough decision to make regarding his international future.
Pristiani’s international career is limited to playing 4 minutes in a friendly against Angola last November.
