Jose Mourinho accused of gaslighting after Vinicius Jr’s racial abuse claims
Anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out has levelled accusations of gaslighting against Jose Mourinho following his remarks about Vinicius Junior’s claims of racial abuse during Tuesday’s Champions League play-off clash, reports BritPanorama.
The Real Madrid forward, aged 25, left the pitch in Lisbon after reporting alleged racist comments from Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to match officials. Real Madrid subsequently identified the accused individual, leading to significant scrutiny of the Benfica manager’s comments.
Mourinho faced criticism for implying that Vinicius had provoked the abuse through his goal celebration. He stated, “I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back,” further suggesting he did not fully believe either party involved. Mourinho’s comments resonated controversially, particularly given Vinicius’s history of facing similar allegations in various stadiums.
Kick It Out issued a strong statement condemning Mourinho’s perspective, asserting that focusing on Vinicius Jr’s celebration rather than acknowledging the discrimination claim is a form of gaslighting. The organisation emphasized the importance of supporting those who report discrimination, noting that such rhetoric can deter future reports and harm victims.
Clarence Seedorf, a pundit during the match, remarked that Mourinho made a considerable mistake in his justification of racial abuse, pointing out that it suggests legitimacy in provoking such reactions. Benfica countered Mourinho’s remarks by sharing footage indicating the distance between players likely rendered the alleged comments inaudible to Real Madrid’s squad.
Prestianni denied any racist language directed at Vinicius, claiming he was misinterpreted. He also expressed regret over receiving threats from Real Madrid players post-match.
In the aftermath, Vinicius took to Instagram, labelling racists as “cowards” and harshly critiquing UEFA’s handling of anti-discrimination protocols as ineffective. He questioned the reasoning behind receiving a yellow card for his goal celebration.
In a significant move, UEFA appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate the allegations of discriminatory behavior during the fixture. This ongoing situation, highlighted by Real Madrid teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s staunch defence of Vinicius, underscores the pressing need for accountability and change within football. “What has happened tonight is a disgrace to football and overshadowed the performance,” Alexander-Arnold stated, affirming that there is no room for such actions in the sport or society.
As the scrutiny around the incident continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between celebrations and accusations, and the consistent challenges faced in addressing racial abuse in football.
