Mourinho Addresses Vinicius Jr Racism Allegation After Benfica Clash
Jose Mourinho has made striking comments regarding the alleged racial abuse directed at Vinicius Junior by Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid's Champions League fixture against Benfica on Tuesday evening. The match was halted for approximately ten minutes in the second half as Vinicius and his teammates left the pitch following the reported incident.
Match Disruption and Alleged Abuse
The controversy erupted during the Champions League play-off knockout first leg at the Estadio da Luz. Vinicius Junior had given Real Madrid the lead with a goal in the 50th minute, celebrating with a dance by the corner flag in front of home supporters. Before play resumed, the winger exchanged words with Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, subsequently reporting him to the referee for an alleged racist comment.
As tensions flared inside the stadium, Mourinho was observed conversing with Real Madrid players, including Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe. The Portuguese head coach later shared his perspective in a post-match interview with Amazon Prime, addressing the unfolding events.
Mourinho's Full-Time Remarks
Mourinho stated, "It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal in a good game. These talents are able to do these beautiful things but unfortunately he [Vinicius] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal and then the game was over. When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way."
When questioned if he believed Vinicius had incited the crowd and players with his celebration, Mourinho responded, "Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don’t comment about it."
He elaborated on his discussion with Vinicius during the break in play, adding, "I told him that when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. And then when he was arguing about racism I told him the biggest person in the history of this club was black [Eusebio]. This club, the last thing it is is racist, so if in his mind it was something in relation to that, this is Benfica."
Controversy in Every Stadium
In a notable turn of phrase, the 63-year-old coach claimed that controversy seems to follow Vinicius Junior wherever he plays. Mourinho continued, "There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. Every stadium that Vinicius plays [in] something happens. Always. I’m saying that it was a good 50 minutes of football, millions of people watching around the world, a crazy goal absolutely crazy goal and then game over."
Statements from Vinicius Jr and Prestianni
Following Real Madrid's 1-0 victory, Vinicius Junior released his own statement addressing the incident. He said, "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them."
He further expressed frustration, noting, "Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team's life. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don't like to appear in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it's necessary."
Gianluca Prestianni has also broken his silence, denying the allegations. He stated, "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard. I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players."
Broader Context and Reactions
The incident has sparked widespread discussion within the football community, highlighting ongoing concerns about racism in the sport. Other figures, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, have condemned the alleged abuse, calling it a disgrace. Meanwhile, Mourinho's comments have drawn attention for their implication that Vinicius Junior frequently finds himself at the centre of such controversies, suggesting a pattern that extends beyond this single match.
As the Champions League progresses, this event underscores the persistent challenges football faces in addressing racial discrimination, with players, coaches, and officials continuing to grapple with appropriate responses and protocols.
