Jose Mourinho has broken his silence on the scandal engulfing Benfica, declaring that Gianluca Prestianni will have no future at the club if found guilty of racially abusing Vinícius Júnior. The 20-year-old Argentinian is currently under UEFA investigation following a volatile Champions League playoff clash against Real Madrid in Lisbon.
The flashpoint occurred at the Estádio da Luz after Vinícius scored the match-winner, with Prestianni allegedly covering his mouth with his shirt while directing a comment at the Brazilian. While the player staunchly denies the claims, he was handed a provisional one-match ban and missed the second leg as Madrid advanced to the round of 16.
Mourinho, who initially faced criticism for his guarded response, clarified his stance ahead of Monday’s domestic fixture. “If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s as well, then that player’s career… will come to an end,” the 63-year-old asserted.
The Portuguese tactician emphasized that while he respects the “human right” of the presumption of innocence, his tolerance for discrimination is zero. “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,” Mourinho concluded.
