Benfica anager, Jose Mourinho, has vowed he will kick Gianluca Prestianni out of Benfica if he is found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid winger,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.
The former Manchester United boss has now made 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.
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 said 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.’