Jose Mourinho’s explosive response to Vinicius Jr racism allegations | Football | Sport
Vini Jr claims he suffered racist abuse from Gianluca Prestianni (Image: Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has suggested that “something happens” in every stadium Vinicius Junior plays in, following the Real Madrid player’s claim of racial abuse by Gianluca Prestianni on Tuesday evening. The game between the La Liga titans and Benfica was paused for around 10 minutes as the Brazilian and his team-mates left the pitch during the second-half of the Champions League encounter.
Vini Jr put his team ahead 50 minutes into the match at the Estadio da Luz, before dancing in celebration near the corner flag in front of the home crowd. Prior to the resumption of the game, the winger had a verbal exchange with Prestianni, subsequently reporting him to the referee for an alleged racist remark. As the atmosphere within the stadium intensified, Mourinho was seen conversing with Real Madrid players, including Vini Jr and Kylian Mbappe.
The Portuguese manager shared his perspective on the situation post-match, in an interview with Amazon Prime. Mourinho said: “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 asked if he thought Vinicius Jr provoked the home supporters and players with his celebration, Mourinho replied: “Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don’t comment about it.”
Mourinho then revealed what he discussed with Vini Jr during the stoppage 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.”
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Jose Mourinho has spoken about Vini Jr’s alleged racial abuse (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
In a startling choice of words, the 63-year-old then suggested that controversy surrounding Vini Jr occurs at “every stadium” he plays in. He 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.”
It comes as Vini Jr has also issued his own statement following the 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League play-off knockouts. 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.
“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.”
Elsewhere, Prestianni has also spoken out regarding allegations he directed racist abuse at Vini Jr. He said: “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.”
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