Jose Mourinho says Gianluca Prestianni will not play for him again if he racially abused Vinicius Jr
BBC World
March 1, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho has made it clear that Gianluca Prestianni’s career under him is on the line if the 20-year-old Argentine winger is proven to have racially abused Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. during a Champions League match in February. The incident occurred during the first leg of their knockout playoff tie, with Vinicius accusing Prestianni of racial abuse after scoring the only goal for Real Madrid. Although Prestianni denies the allegations, he has been provisionally suspended by UEFA pending an investigation and could face further punishment if found guilty.
Mourinho emphasized his opposition to any form of discrimination during a press conference, stating that if one of his players were found responsible, their career with him would be over. He defended the presumption of innocence as a fundamental human right while maintaining his stance on the matter. Benfica has also denied reports claiming Prestianni admitted to teammates and club officials that he made racist remarks. The club issued a statement supporting the player, who has apologized for the incident and insists he is not racist.
The controversy gained additional attention when Mourinho was sent off during the match for disputing referee decisions. He later criticized Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa, suggesting that incidents involving Vinicius often lead to trouble. Despite these tensions, Real Madrid ultimately advanced to the next round of the Champions League after winning 2-1 in the second leg in Madrid.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of racial abuse in sports and the importance of accountability for players and coaches alike. Mourinho’s strong statement underscores the zero-tolerance approach toward discrimination, while also raising questions about the broader implications of his remarks on Vinicius’ celebration and the referee’s decisions. The outcome of the investigation and any potential consequences for Prestianni will have significant implications for both Benfica and the future of racial justice in football.
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Originally published on BBC World on 3/1/2026