Mark Clattenburg issues apology following backlash over Vinicius Jr remarks
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has issued an apology following widespread criticism of his remarks during Amazon Prime’s coverage of the Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The 50-year-old admitted his on-air comments about Vinicius Jr were inappropriate after the Brazilian forward reported alleged racist abuse. Clattenburg acknowledged that his words during the live broadcast were “clumsy and not right,” adding that he was “already learning from this.”
The controversy stemmed from Clattenburg’s analysis during the ten-minute stoppage that followed Vinicius’s complaint against Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. While serving as a pundit, Clattenburg suggested the Real Madrid winger had created difficulties for match referee Francois Letexier.
“The problem in this situation is that Vinicius Junior has not helped himself. He has made this difficult for the referee,” Clattenburg stated during the broadcast. He also remarked on the player’s celebration after scoring, suggesting that he needed to return quickly to the game.
Anti-discrimination campaigner Troy Townsend MBE demanded Clattenburg be permanently removed from broadcasting duties. Speaking to Telegraph Sport, he described the former official’s remarks as part of a “victim-blaming culture” that frequently surrounds incidents involving Vinicius Jr. He asserted that Clattenburg’s suggestion would have greatly influenced a wide audience, labelling it “outlandish” and “dangerous.”
In a related development, UEFA has launched an official investigation into the incident, appointing an ethics and disciplinary inspector to examine the allegations from the knockout play-off fixture. Kylian Mbappe claimed he heard Prestianni using racist language directed at Vinicius, alleging that the Benfica player covered his mouth with his shirt while repeating the word “monkey.” Prestianni has denied these accusations, asserting that Vinicius misheard him and that he has never been racist toward anyone.
The intertwining of sport and social issues continues to provoke debate, exemplifying the responsibility public figures hold in shaping narratives in modern football.
