Mikel Obi Condemns Former Manager Jose Mourinho Over Controversial Racism Comments
Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel has launched a sharp critique against his former boss Jose Mourinho, following the Portuguese manager's remarks on the alleged racism incident involving Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. The controversy erupted during a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoff first-leg match between Real Madrid and Benfica, held at Estádio da Luz on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, which Madrid won 1-0.
Incident and Mourinho's Statement Spark Outrage
Vinicius Jr scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute, and his celebration led to a confrontation with Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni. Vinicius alleged that Prestianni racially abused him during the altercation, a claim the Argentine denied, resulting in a booking for the Brazilian forward. According to reports from The Athletic, Mourinho commented after the match, suggesting that Vinicius should not have celebrated in such a manner and noting that the player faces issues at every stadium.
Mikel Obi Expresses Disappointment and Calls for Accountability
In response, Mikel Obi voiced his disappointment on the Obi One Podcast, emphasizing that Mourinho's comments were inappropriate given the gravity of the racism allegations. "He lost the game, you're not the coach of Benfica, you're not coming out to speak for Benfica, you're not coming out to speak for Jose Mourinho, you're coming out to represent because you're the coach of a Portuguese club, you're representing a country," Mikel stated. He added that he expected Mourinho to support the investigation and condemn racism, rather than criticize Vinicius's actions.
Mikel described Mourinho's remarks as "a clumsy comment" and expressed confidence that his former manager, known for his sensitivity, would recognize his mistake. "He will be the first to know that he has messed up, that was a clumsy statement, he is a very smart guy. I don't know the reason why he hasn't apologised, but I expect him to come out and make a statement," Mikel remarked. He also highlighted that no former player has ever accused Mourinho of racism, making the incident particularly surprising.
UEFA Investigation and Prestianni Suspension
Meanwhile, UEFA has initiated an investigation into the alleged racial abuse and has suspended Gianluca Prestianni for the second leg of the playoff match, pending the outcome of the inquiry. Mourinho further fueled controversy by refusing to speak at the pre-match conference ahead of the second leg, exercising his right to remain silent.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about racism in football and the responsibilities of high-profile figures in addressing such issues. Mikel Obi's outspoken criticism adds to the growing discourse on how the sport handles discrimination cases.
