Mourinho also made it clear he is ‘completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice or ignorance or stupidity’.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has told his winger, Gianluca Prestianni, that there will be consequences if he is found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, stating that his career with the Portuguese club will be effectively ‘over’.
He made this known on Sunday, while making it clear that he is ‘completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice or ignorance or stupidity’.
Vinicius alleged that Prestianni made racist comments towards him during the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie between Real Madrid and Benfica in Lisbon on 17 February.
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Although the 20-year-old strongly denied the accusations, UEFA—which is still investigating the matter—banned the Argentine for the second leg in Spain.
Speaking on the incident, Mourinho, who himself faced criticism for suggesting Vinicius had provoked fans with his goal celebration, insisted such behaviour is unacceptable if proven true.
He said: “If my player does 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 come to an end.”
