Former AC Milan midfielder, Clarence Seedorf, has criticized Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho’s comments about the alleged racial abuse aimed at Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior during both sides’ UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoff first leg tie on Tuesday.
Recall that the Champions League tie between Real Madrid and Benfica was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius initially refused to play on following an alleged racist comment made to him by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
This comes immediately after the Brazilian international gave the Los Blancos the lead.
Vinicius provoked the home supporters after he celebrated in front of them, for which he was booked when he was confronted by Prestianni, who pulled his shirt up over his mouth before saying something to the Real Madrid attacker.
The 25-year-old then ran to speak to match referee Francois Letexier, who immediately stopped the game.
However, at his post-match interview, Mourinho suggested Vinicius had provoked the abuse with his celebration.
But Seedorf was not pleased with Mourinho’s comments, insisting that he made a mistake.
“I think he [Mourinho] made a big mistake today to justify racial abuse, and I’m not saying that was the case today, but he mentioned something more than today,” Seedorf told Amazon Prime.
“He said wherever he goes, these things happen, so he is saying it’s OK when Vinicius provokes you, that is, it’s OK to be racist, and I think that is very wrong.
“We should never, ever justify racial abuse. And Vinicius has had enough of that unjustified behaviour from people.
“And I know Mourinho by heart would agree with me, but he expressed himself a bit unfortunately, I believe, because we should not be telling the people at home that someone makes a dance or something, then it’s okay to be racist,” he said.