Jose Mourinho has imposed a strict media blackout on all Real Madrid-related topics within his Benfica squad following a highly controversial Champions League encounter overshadowed by serious allegations of racism. The Portuguese manager has explicitly banned any mention of the Spanish giants as his team prepares for their next domestic fixture.
UEFA Investigation Launched Into Racism Allegations
European football's governing body, UEFA, has officially opened an investigation after Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racial slur toward him during the match. The Brazilian international claims the Argentinian player called him a 'monkey,' an allegation that has been corroborated by his teammate Kylian Mbappe.
Prestianni, aged 20, has firmly denied the racism accusation, suggesting that Vinicius 'misinterpreted what he thinks he heard.' In a surprising twist, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni told media that the Benfica player claimed to have used a homophobic insult instead of a racial one, adding further complexity to the case.
Real Madrid Submits Evidence to UEFA
On Thursday, Real Madrid confirmed they have submitted 'all available evidence' to UEFA regarding the incident, demonstrating their full support for Vinicius Junior. The Spanish club's formal backing of their player has intensified the scrutiny surrounding the allegations.
Mourinho himself entered the controversy by suggesting that Vinicius' goal celebration contributed to creating the tense situation that followed. This comment has drawn additional attention to the manager's handling of the sensitive matter.
Mourinho's Dressing Room Ban Ahead of Crucial Fixtures
With next week's Champions League second leg in Madrid expected to attract global attention, Daily Mail Sport understands that Mourinho has taken decisive action to shield his players from distractions. The manager has ordered his squad to focus exclusively on their upcoming Primeira Liga match against bottom-placed AVS, who trail safety by nine points.
Mourinho has made it unequivocally clear that he will tolerate no discussion of the Madrid tie or any related issues, including the Vinicius-Prestianni controversy. This directive extends throughout the Benfica dressing room as the team seeks to maintain their concentration on domestic matters.
Team News and League Position
Gianluca Prestianni will be unavailable for the AVS fixture as he serves a one-match domestic suspension after accumulating five yellow cards. His absence comes at a delicate time for Benfica, who currently sit seven points behind league leaders Porto and three points behind second-placed Sporting Lisbon.
Despite the off-field controversies, Benfica's league form remains impressive. The Lisbon club has yet to suffer a defeat in domestic competition this season, having won four of their last five matches and drawing the other. Mourinho, who replaced Bruno Lage last September under a two-year contract, will be keen to maintain this momentum while navigating the ongoing UEFA investigation.
The situation continues to develop as European football authorities examine the evidence and both clubs prepare for their highly anticipated second-leg encounter under intense international scrutiny.
