Mourinho Faces Backlash Over Vinicius Jr Comments Amid Racism Allegations
Jose Mourinho has been accused of gaslighting Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr by an anti-racism charity following his comments about the player's celebration during a recent match. The Benfica manager claimed that Vinicius Jr incited his players and fans, which occurred just before the Brazilian reported alleged racist abuse from a Benfica player.
Match Incident and Mourinho's Remarks
During Benfica's 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday night, Vinicius Jr scored a goal in the second half and celebrated exuberantly. Shortly after, he alleged that Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni made a racist comment, calling him a monkey, though Prestianni's mouth was obscured by his shirt at the time.
In a post-match interview with Amazon Prime, Mourinho criticized Vinicius Jr's celebration, stating, "It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal in a good game... these talents are able to do these beautiful things but unfortunately he was not just happy to score that astonishing goal and then the game was over. When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way."
When asked if Vinicius Jr had incited Benfica's players and fans, Mourinho responded, "Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don't comment about it." He added that he told Vinicius Jr to celebrate respectfully and reminded him that Benfica's history includes black icons, implying the club is not racist.
Kick It Out's Strong Condemnation
Anti-racism charity Kick It Out has strongly condemned Mourinho's statements, labeling them as gaslighting. In a post on X, the charity emphasized that when discrimination is reported, the priority should be to listen and support the victim.
The charity stated, "Focusing on Vinicius Jr’s goal celebration or the history of the club, instead of acknowledging the report, is a form of gaslighting. This approach not only harms the individual affected but also sends the wrong message to others around the world who may have experienced similar situations."
Kick It Out called for responsible leadership in football to reinforce respect, inclusion, and accountability, and expressed hope for a thorough investigation into the incident.
UEFA Investigation and Club Responses
UEFA is expected to open an investigation into the alleged racist incident. Meanwhile, Benfica has issued a statement firmly supporting their player, Gianluca Prestianni. The club reaffirmed its commitment to equality, respect, and inclusion, citing Eusébio as a symbol of these values.
Benfica said, "Sport Lisboa e Benfica reiterates that it fully supports and believes in the version presented by the player Gianluca Prestianni, whose conduct while serving the Club has always been guided by respect for opponents, institutions, and the principles that define Benfica's identity." The club also expressed regret over what it called a defamation campaign against Prestianni.
Broader Context and Implications
This incident adds to a series of controversies involving Vinicius Jr, who has frequently faced racism in stadiums across Europe. Mourinho's comments have sparked debate about how football leaders address such issues, with critics arguing that shifting focus away from racism allegations can undermine efforts to combat discrimination in the sport.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in football regarding racism and the importance of accountability. As investigations proceed, the football community watches closely to see how authorities and clubs handle this sensitive matter, with potential implications for future policies and player safety.
