José Mourinho has stated that Gianluca Prestianni’s tenure at Benfica will conclude if evidence of racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior is corroborated, while emphasizing the principle of presumption of innocence.
This issue arises from Benfica’s UEFA Champions League playoff defeat to Real Madrid CF on February 17, during which the 19-year-old Prestianni allegedly made a racist comment towards Vinícius while covering his mouth. Following this, UEFA has temporarily suspended the Argentine winger as it investigates the allegations.
Softfootball previously reported that UEFA turned down SL Benfica’s request to lift that suspension in advance of the second leg.
In statements relayed by journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X account, Mourinho expressed a balanced yet firm view.
I tell you to read the Declaration of Human Rights and I repudiate any discrimination or prejudice.
he acknowledged.
I also tell you that if you prove that my player did not respect these principles that are mine and those of Benfica, this player’s career with coach Mourinho and Benfica comes to an end. I put the presumption of innocence and always put an IF.
Mourinho further criticized UEFA’s handling of the interim ban.
Unfortunately, UEFA, to keep the player away from the game, preferred to look at article 416328 to remove him from the game, and they went in the direction of not getting into IFs. If the player is effectively guilty, I won’t look at him the same way again and it’s over with me. But I have to put a lot of IFs ahead.
Prestianni has denied the accusations and has reportedly claimed that Vinícius referred to him as a “dwarf” during their exchange. The 19-year-old, who joined Benfica as a promising talent, faces an uncertain future as the investigation unfolds.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the issue of racism in football, eliciting mixed reactions towards Mourinho’s conditional support for the player as well as criticisms of his initial defense.
Clearly, the results of UEFA’s investigation could significantly impact both Prestianni’s career and the atmosphere within Benfica’s locker room.
