José Mourinho defended Benfica against accusations of racism by pointing to club history while suggesting Vinícius Júnior’s own behavior and celebrations invite stadium conflict.
Benfica manager José Mourinho has sparked controversy by suggesting Vinícius Júnior’s celebration contributed to the tense atmosphere during Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
While the match was halted for ten minutes due to alleged racist slurs from Gianluca Prestianni, Mourinho refused to condemn his player.
Instead, he questioned the frequency of such incidents involving the Brazilian, stating, “There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium.”
Mourinho further defended Benfica’s reputation by citing the legacy of club legend Eusébio to dismiss claims of systemic prejudice.
The Portuguese coach claimed he remained “independent” regarding the conflicting accounts from both players.
Addressing the Real Madrid forward directly, Mourinho remarked, “When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way,” essentially linking the player’s conduct to the hostile reaction received.