José Mourinho has declared that Gianluca Prestianni’s career under him at Benfica will end if allegations of racist abuse against Vinícius Júnior are proven, while insisting on the principle of presumption of innocence.
The controversy stems from Benfica’s UEFA Champions League playoff defeat to Real Madrid CF on February 17, when 19-year-old Prestianni allegedly directed a racist slur at Vinícius while covering his mouth. UEFA has since provisionally suspended the Argentine winger pending the outcome of its investigation.
Softfootball earlier reported that UEFA rejected SL Benfica’s appeal to lift that suspension ahead of the second leg.
Speaking in comments shared by journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, Mourinho took a firm but measured stance.
I tell you to read the Declaration of Human Rights and I repudiate any discrimination or prejudice.
he said.
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 also criticised UEFA’s approach to the provisional 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 allegations and reportedly countered that Vinícius referred to him as a “dwarf” during the exchange. The 19-year-old, who joined Benfica as a highly rated prospect, now faces an uncertain future as the investigation continues.
The incident has once again placed football’s fight against racism under the spotlight, with reactions split between praise for Mourinho’s conditional firmness and criticism over his initial defence of the player.
What remains clear is that the outcome of UEFA’s investigation could have lasting consequences for both Prestianni’s career and Benfica’s dressing room dynamics.
