Micah Richards has branded Gianluca Prestianni a ‘coward’ after the Benfica star was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Jr in last night’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Vinicius scored the only goal of the game in the 50th minute, with the Brazil international’s curling effort sailing into the top corner.
However, utter chaos then unfolded.
Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinicius, leading to Real Madrid players refusing to continue with the match also halted for around 10 minutes.
The atmosphere inside the ground shifted, with Benfica supporters regularly venting their fury throughout the clash.
Jose Mourinho, who acted as peacemaker, was given his marching orders after calling for Vinicius to be sent off for a foul.
Real ultimately got the last laugh, with Alvaro Arbeloa’s side now well-poised to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Speaking after the game, however, the incident involving Prestianni and Vinicius dominated the headlines.
Richards, speaking on CBS Sports, vented his fury towards the Benfica star and accused him of being a ‘coward’.
Thierry Henry also took aim at the Argentine, saying: “Let us see how big of a man Prestiani is, because he covered his face, he can’t say he didn’t say anything.”
Vinicius Jr was left furious during Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Benfica
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Vinicius has since released a statement, with the Samba star refusing to back down while insisting that he was indeed the victim of racist abuse.
“Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are,” he raged.
“But, they have protection from others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that happened today is new in my life and my family’s.
“I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. Still not understanding why. On the other side, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.
“I don’t like to appear in situations like this, even more so after a great victory and when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”
Mourinho, meanwhile, has sparked a storm by defending his player and suggesting Vinicius sparked the controversy by celebrating his goal via dancing.
Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Benfica
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“It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal in a good game,” he stated.
“These talents are able to do these beautiful things but unfortunately he [Vinicius] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal and then the game was over.
“When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way.”
When asked if Vinicius had ‘incited’ the home crowd and players with his celebration, Mourinho added: “Yeah, I believe so.
“The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent.
“I don’t comment about it.”