Jose Mourinho has stated that Gianluca Prestianni will no longer be part of Benfica if he is proven to have racially abused Vinicius Jr.
Prestianni is currently under investigation following allegations made by Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr during the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie last month.
Mourinho initially came under heavy criticism after suggesting that Vinicius provokes opponents and declining to condemn Prestianni outright. However, the Portuguese coach has now dramatically shifted his position regarding the 20-year-old winger.
“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 be finished,” the 63-year-old said.
“I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn’t it?
“I maintain my view. If the player is truly guilty, I will never see him the same way again, and with me, it’s over.
“But there are many ‘ifs’ attached to this situation.”
This marks a clear change in tone from Mourinho’s comments following Benfica’s defeat to Real Madrid, a match in which he was also shown a red card.
At the time, he told Amazon Prime Video Sport: “These players are capable of producing wonderful moments, but unfortunately he [Vinicius Junior] was not satisfied with just scoring that incredible goal. When you score like that, you should celebrate respectfully.”
When asked whether he felt Vinicius had provoked the crowd, Mourinho replied: “Yes, I think so. And the words exchanged between Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius, I want to remain neutral.”
He went on to argue that Benfica could not be labelled a racist club, referencing its greatest-ever player, Eusebio, and also questioned Vinicius Jr’s role in repeated incidents at stadiums.
“I saw two completely different versions. I want to stay independent and not judge. I told Vinicius exactly that.
“I said to him: when you score a goal like that, you celebrate and return to your position. When he spoke about racism, I told him the biggest figure in the history of this club was black.
“This club is the last thing that could be called racist. If in his mind something happened at Benfica… they [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] told me different stories. I don’t believe either side yet. I want to be independent.
“There is something strange because this happens in every stadium Vinicius plays in. Wherever he goes, something always happens.
“It was a great 50 minutes of football. Millions of people around the world watched an amazing goal and then the game ended.”
Mourinho’s remarks drew strong criticism from Amazon Prime Video Sport pundits Wayne Rooney, Clarence Seedorf and Theo Walcott.
“Listen, he’s trying to be neutral, but I think what he said about Vinicius was unfair,” Rooney said.
“He phrased it in a way that lets people draw their own conclusions, and that’s not right.”
Seedorf agreed, adding: “I respect Jose greatly as a coach and as a person, but he made a big mistake by trying to justify racist abuse.
“I’m not saying that’s what happened today, but he went beyond today’s incident. He suggested that wherever Vinicius goes, these things occur. That sounds like saying provocation makes racism acceptable, and that is completely wrong.
“I understand he doesn’t yet know the truth and that there will be an investigation, but we must never justify racial abuse under any circumstances.”
Walcott also criticised Mourinho’s stance, calling it “disappointing.”
“It’s disappointing for me. I admire Mourinho and everything he has done in football, but his decision-making here was poor.
“He was still emotional, and this was the one moment when he shouldn’t have been speaking in front of cameras. Very disappointing.”
Vinicius Jr later released a statement of his own after the incident, describing racists as “above all, cowards.”
“They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are,” his statement began.
“But they are protected by others who, in theory, should be punishing 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, and I still don’t understand why.
“On the other hand, the protocol was poorly applied and served no real purpose.
“I don’t like being in situations like this, especially after a big win when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it is necessary.”
Kylian Mbappe was visibly furious during the incident and had to be restrained by teammates.
His fellow Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold also condemned the scenes.
“I can’t say too much because there is probably an investigation ongoing, but what happened tonight is a disgrace to football,” he said.
“It overshadowed an incredible performance and an unbelievable goal. Vinicius has suffered this several times in his career, and for it to happen again tonight is a disgrace to the sport.
“There is no place for this in society. It’s disgusting.”
