Jose Mourinho insists he will kick Gianluca Prestianni out of Benfica if he is found to have racially abused Vinicius Junior.
Prestianni is being investigated over accusations from Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr made last month during the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie.
Mourinho was criticised for his immediate response, having claimed that Vinicius Jr incites his opponents and refusing to criticise Prestianni.
But now he has performed a major U-turn on his 20-year-old winger, saying: ‘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.
‘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.’
It is a strong departure from the tone he adopted last month after seeing his side lose against Real Madrid – a clash during which he received a red card.
Jose Mourinho insists Gianluca Prestianni’s Benfica career will be ‘over’ if he is found to have racially abused Vinicius Junior
Gianluca Prestianni is accused of calling Vinicius Jr a ‘monkey’ and was provisionally banned; he is now being investigated
He originally told Amazon Prime Video Sport: ‘These talents are able to do these beautiful things, but unfortunately he [Vinicius Junior] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way.’
Following that response, Mourinho was asked if he believes the Real Madrid star incited the crowd to which he responded: ‘Yes. I believe so. Then the words that they exchange, Gianluca Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent.’
Expanding further, the 63-year-old brazenly declared that Benfica can not be a racist club due to its greatest-ever player being black – referring to Portugal legend Eusebio. He also appeared to question Vinicius Jr’s actions on the basis that he has been the target of abuse in other matches too.
‘I saw two completely different things. I want to be independent, and I don’t comment about it. I told him [Vinícius] exactly that.
‘I told him [Vinicius] – when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club was black.
‘This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. If in his mind there was something in relation to that – this in Benfica. They [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.
‘There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. A stadium where Vinicius plays something happens, always.
‘Look, I am saying it was a good 50 minutes of football. I believe millions of people are watching around the world – a crazy goal and then game over.’
Mourinho and Vinicius Jr are pictured during a heated exchange in Benfica’s first leg against Real Madrid
Mourinho was sent off and later accused Vinicius Jr of inciting the crowd and his opponents
Reflecting on Mourinho’s post-match interview, Amazon Prime Video Sport pundits Wayne Rooney, Clarence Seedorf and Theo Walcott all took a dim view of the Benfica boss’ words.
‘Listen, he’s trying to stay independent but I think it was very unfair what he said about Vinicius in every stadium,’ said Rooney.
‘He’s said it in a way that people will make their own minds up. I think that was a little bit unfair.’
Seedorf echoed those sentiments adding: ‘I have huge respect for Jose as a coach and a person. I think he’s still emotional but he made a big mistake today to justify racist abuse.
‘I’m not saying that was the case today but he did much more than reference today. He mentioned wherever Vini goes, these things happen. He’s actually saying it’s OK when Vinicius provokes you to abuse and be racist. And I think that is very wrong.
‘I think Mourinho is right in that he doesn’t know who is saying the truth, there’s going to be an investigation on that, but I definitely believe we should never, in any circumstance, justify racial abuse.
Backing up his colleagues, Walcott labelled Mourinho’s views ‘disappointing’.
‘It’s disappointing, for me. I’m quite calm, composed, I’m not someone who gets angry but look – I love Mourinho, I love listening to him and everything he’s done in football – but I think he’s made poor decision-making in that sense.
‘He was still a bit emotional and it was the one time we shouldn’t have heard from him tonight. Best for him not to be in front of the cameras. Disappointing.’
Vinicius Jr has since released his own statement following the on-pitch ordeal, in which he branded racists as being ‘above all, cowards’.
The incident occurred moments after Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of the first leg in Lisbon
‘They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are,’ Vinicius’s statement began.
‘But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them’.
‘Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team’s life. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why’.
‘On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose’.
‘I don’t like to appear in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary’.
Kylian Mbappe was among those visibly enraged by what had happened, with the French forward having to be held back by his team-mates.
His fellow Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold branded the scenes ‘disgusting’ after the match.
‘I can’t comment too much on it because there’s probably an ongoing investigation… but I think what’s happened tonight is a disgrace to football,’ the England international said.
‘It’s overshadowed the performance, especially after such an amazing goal. Vini has been subjected to this a few times throughout his career and for it to happen tonight and ruin the night for us is a disgrace, a disgrace to football.
‘There’s no place for it in society. It’s disgusting.’