Jose Mourinho has dramatically reversed his position on Benfica star Gianluca Prestianni, pledging to terminate the player’s time at the club should he be proven guilty of directing racist abuse at Vinicius Junior.
The 20-year-old is currently under investigation following allegations made by the Real Madrid forward during last month’s Champions League play-off first leg encounter.
“If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s as well, then that player’s career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end,” Mourinho declared.
The 63-year-old added: “If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it’s over.”
The Benfica manager’s latest stance marks a significant shift from his initial reaction following his side’s defeat to Real Madrid, a match in which Mourinho himself was shown a red card.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport immediately after the game, he suggested Vinicius should have celebrated his spectacular goal more respectfully rather than provoking opponents.
When pressed on whether the Brazilian incites crowds, Mourinho replied: “Yes. I believe so.”
Benfica star Gianluca Prestianni is alleged to have racially abused Vinicius Jr last month
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GETTYThe Portuguese coach also defended his club against accusations of racism by pointing to Eusebio, the legendary black forward who remains Benfica’s greatest-ever player.
He further questioned why incidents seem to follow Vinicius wherever he plays, stating: “There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. A stadium where Vinicius plays something happens, always.”
Television pundits Wayne Rooney, Clarence Seedorf and Theo Walcott all responded critically to Mourinho’s post-match comments on Amazon Prime Video Sport.
Gianluca Prestianni hid his face while speaking with Vinicius Jr in Benfica’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid | GETTY
Rooney described the remarks as unfair, saying: “He’s said it in a way that people will make their own minds up. I think that was a little bit unfair.”
Seedorf went further, accusing Mourinho of effectively excusing racist behaviour.
“He’s actually saying it’s OK when Vinicius provokes you to abuse and be racist. And I think that is very wrong,” the former midfielder stated, while acknowledging his respect for Mourinho as both coach and person.
Walcott expressed his disappointment despite his admiration for the Portuguese manager.
“He was still a bit emotional and it was the one time we shouldn’t have heard from him tonight,” he said.
Vinicius responded to the incident with a statement condemning those responsible, describing racists as “above all, cowards” who “need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are.”
Football clubs with the most Champions League titles | GETTY
The Brazilian also criticised the protection afforded to perpetrators by those with the authority to punish them.
His Real Madrid teammates rallied around him following the match, with Kylian Mbappe visibly furious and having to be restrained by fellow players.
Trent Alexander-Arnold condemned what he witnessed as “disgusting” and “a disgrace to football.”
The England international added: “Vini has been subjected to this a few times throughout his career and for it to happen tonight and ruin the night for us is a disgrace. There’s no place for it in society.”
