Mourinho faces backlash over Vinicius Jr’s racism allegation
Jose Mourinho has faced fierce backlash following his response to Vinicius Jr’s racism allegation during last night’s Champions League playoff encounter between Benfica and Real Madrid, reports BritPanorama.
The Portuguese manager, dismissed during the match, drew widespread condemnation after suggesting that the Brazilian forward bears some responsibility for the racist incidents he encounters.
“There is something wrong as it happens in every stadium where Vinicius plays, always something happens,” Mourinho remarked in his post-match comments. His remarks triggered immediate criticism from television pundits, who accused him of attempting to justify racist abuse.
This dramatic incident unfolded moments after Vinicius netted a spectacular goal in Portugal, only to be shown a yellow card for his exuberant celebration. This booking ignited a heated exchange between players from both sides, during which Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni pulled his shirt over his mouth while speaking to the Real Madrid star.
Vinicius then approached the match official to report an alleged racist remark, leading to extraordinary scenes as the fixture was suspended for 10 minutes. Real Madrid initially refused to resume play before the first leg eventually continued, with the Spanish giants securing a 1-0 victory.
In his post-match defence, Mourinho claimed Prestianni denied making any racist remarks and accused Vinicius of provoking the home supporters. “When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way. I believe so (he incited the crowd),” the former Chelsea manager stated.
Mourinho invoked Benfica’s history, telling Vinicius, “The biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.” He maintained he wished to remain “independent” on the matter, asserting both players had given him conflicting accounts of their exchange.
Reactions to Mourinho’s comments were swift and critical. Former England captain Wayne Rooney declared, “It’s very unfair what he’s saying about Vinicius.” Ex-Arsenal winger Theo Walcott suggested that Mourinho should have avoided media duties entirely, noting, “It wasn’t a night for him to be in front of the camera.” Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf provided perhaps the strongest rebuke, stating, “Jose made a huge mistake today by justifying racism.”
Vinicius responded to the incident on Instagram, describing those who engage in racist abuse as fundamentally weak individuals. “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouths with their shirts to show their weakness,” he wrote.
He also criticized those who shield perpetrators from consequences, adding, “But they also count on the protection of others who, in theory, have the obligation to punish them.” The Brazilian acknowledged that such experiences were familiar territory, stating, “Nothing that happened here was new in my life or in that of my family.”
As the football world reacts, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced by players confronting racism on and off the pitch. With Mourinho’s comments echoing through discussions of responsibility and accountability in football, it remains clear that the dialogue around racism must continue to evolve.
