Mourinho Faces Backlash for Response to Vinícius Júnior's Racism Allegations
The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has strongly criticized Benfica manager José Mourinho, accusing him of gaslighting in his response to Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior's allegations of racist abuse during a Champions League playoff match. The incident occurred in Lisbon on Tuesday, where Vinícius reported being targeted by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, leading to a formal investigation by Uefa into claims of discriminatory behavior.
Mourinho's Controversial Comments Spark Outrage
Mourinho, speaking to Amazon Prime, appeared to suggest that Vinícius had provoked the abuse with his goal celebration after scoring the only goal early in the second half. He stated, "I told him: 'When you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back.' They [Vinícius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent."
He further commented on previous incidents involving Vinícius, saying, "There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. A stadium where Vinícius plays, something happens, always." These remarks were met with a sharp rebuke from Kick It Out, which emphasized that focusing on the celebration or club history instead of acknowledging the report constitutes a harmful form of gaslighting.
Kick It Out Calls for Responsible Leadership
Kick It Out released a statement highlighting the importance of supporting individuals who report discrimination. The charity said, "When anyone reports discrimination in football, or anywhere, the first priority is that they are listened to and feel supported. Focusing on Vinícius Jr’s goal celebration or the history of the club, instead of acknowledging the report, is a form of gaslighting."
The organization stressed that this approach not only harms the affected individual but also sends a negative message to others worldwide who may have faced similar situations. They called for responsible leadership that reinforces respect, inclusion, and accountability, and expressed hope for a thorough investigation with appropriate outcomes.
Seedorf and Others Condemn Mourinho's Stance
Former Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who was working as a pundit for the game, labeled Mourinho's comments as "a big mistake." He argued on Amazon Prime, "He said wherever he goes these things happen, so he's saying it's OK when Vinícius provokes you, that is it OK to be racist, and I think that is very wrong. We should never, ever justify racial abuse."
Prestianni denied making racist comments, posting on Instagram, "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard. I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players." Benfica supported their player by sharing his quote on social media with the message "Together by your side," and posted a video suggesting the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claimed due to distance.
Match Details and Vinícius's Response
The match was paused in accordance with Uefa regulations, resulting in a 10-minute stoppage, during which Vinícius continued to play. After the game, Vinícius took to Instagram Story to express his frustration, writing, "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are. But they have protection from others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that happened today is new in my life and my family's."
Uefa has confirmed it will investigate the allegations, underscoring the ongoing challenges football faces in addressing racism and discrimination within the sport.
