Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho has made a major U-turn on his initial take on the seething racial row involving Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and his defender Gianluca Prestianni, MySportDab reports.
Vinicius Jr and Prestianni got embroiled in a seething racial fallout during Real Madrid’s Champions League Knockout Rounds Play-offs first leg against Benfica in Portugal.
It all began when Vinicius Jr scored a golazo to give Real Madrid the lead in the game and then ran to the corner flag to celebrate by dancing.
The opposing fans found the dancing celebration offensive and reportedly hurled racial abuses on him.
Benfica right back Gianluca Prestianni was also involved in the row with Vinicius Jr alleging that the Argentine player had also abused him racially while using his jersey to cover his mouth.
This led to a hiatus that lasted for several minutes before the match was resumed after the intense moment.
Reacting to the incident, Jose Mourinho appeared to downplay the racial attacks on Vinicius Jr and blamed the player for inciting the Benfica fans against himself with his celebration.
His stance attracted widespread criticism and he has now appeared to take a different position on the row.
Speaking on UEFA’s current investigation of the incident, Mourinho said he will banish Prestianni from his Benfica squad if the player is found to have actually hurled racial slur on Vinicius Jr during the match.
“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,’ the 63-year-old said.
Real Madrid won both legs of the Champions League Knockout Rounds Play-offs against Benfica to qualify for the round of 16 where they will face Premier League champions Manchester City.
