Jose Mourinho has warned that Gianluca Prestianni’s future at Benfica will end if he is found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, according to Sky Sports.
Speaking on Sunday, Mourinho, who faced criticism for his initial remarks following the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie last month, emphasized his stance, “I am completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice or ignorance or stupidity.”
Prestianni, who is under investigation by UEFA, missed last week’s return leg in Madrid after Benfica’s appeal against his suspension was rejected. While he denies the allegations, a guilty verdict could see him face a lengthy ban.
Mourinho added, “If my player did 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.
“I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn’t it?
“I stand by my opinion. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it’s over.
“But I have to put many ‘ifs’ in front of it.”
The incident occurred during the first leg when Vinicius Jr, after scoring to give Madrid the lead, was booked for celebrating in front of the Benfica fans.
Prestianni then confronted him, pulling his shirt over his mouth while saying something.
Vinicius Jr ran to speak to referee Francois Letexier, who immediately stopped the match and activated FIFA’s anti-racism protocol by crossing his arms in front of his face.
After the match, Mourinho told Amazon Prime: “I told [Vinicius Jnr], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.
“When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black.
“This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.”
Vinicius has frequently spoken out against racism he has faced in stadiums.
In June 2024, three Valencia fans were jailed for eight months for racially abusing him during a La Liga match the previous year, the first verdict of its kind in Spain.
