Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany criticized Benfica manager Jose Mourinho for his reaction to alleged racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Junior. During Tuesday's Champions League match, the Brazilian Real Madrid star accused Gianluca Prestianni of making racially offensive remarks. Mourinho suggested the player had provoked the incident, which Kompany called a "huge mistake," defending the Brazilian's emotional reaction and calling for a firm stance against racism in football.

Criticism of Mourinho's Stance

Vincent Kompany called the Benfica coach's comments a huge mistake, opposing the accusation that Vinicius provoked racist attacks.

Investigation in Lisbon

Club Benfica is examining footage from the stands showing fans making racist gestures and simultaneously accuses the Brazilian of physical aggression on the pitch.

Support from Madrid

Álvaro Arbeloa declared full support for his player, emphasizing that racism must be completely eliminated from football.

A wave of outrage swept through European media following the Champions League match between Benfica Lisbon and Real Madrid. The main point of contention was an incident involving Vinicius Junior, who reported to referee Francois Letexier that he was called a monkey by the hosts' Argentine player, Gianluca Prestianni. Although the 20-year-old Prestianni denied the allegations, UEFA has launched an official investigation. Real Madrid's Álvaro Arbeloa defended his player, emphasizing that nothing justifies racism and it is unacceptable to portray the victim as a provocateur. In recent years, Spanish football has been grappling with a growing number of racist incidents, primarily targeting black players, leading to stricter disciplinary regulations by La Liga and UEFA.The harshest words, however, came from the Bayern Munich coach. Vincent Kompany, during a twelve-minute monologue at a press conference, condemned the stance of Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager had suggested that Vinicius's goal celebration provoked the reaction from his opponents. Kompany deemed this an "unacceptable mistake" in people management and communication. The Belgian coach, who has Congolese roots, stressed that the Real Madrid player's reaction was purely emotional and could not have been faked. Meanwhile, Benfica is conducting its own investigation into two fans who were recorded making racist gestures in the stands of the Estádio da Luz. 12 — minutes was the length of Vincent Kompany's emotional speech on racismThe situation is dynamic, with the Portuguese club additionally filing a complaint with UEFA against Vinicius, accusing him of striking an opponent in the face, which was not noticed by the referees during the game. This case reveals a deep divide in the perception of the Brazilian's behavior – from being a symbol of the fight against discrimination to accusations of on-field arrogance. UEFA is to analyze video materials, including footage showing Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt during an exchange with his rival. „What Jose Mourinho did is a huge mistake. We cannot put the victim in the role of the perpetrator when we are dealing with racism.” — Vincent Kompany[{"team1": "Benfica Lisbon", "team2": "Real Madrid", "score1": 0, "score2": 1, "round": "Champions League Play-off"}]Timeline of Conflict Escalation: — ; — ; — ; —

Mentioned People

  • Vincent Kompany — Bayern Munich coach, who delivered a 12-minute speech against racism.
  • Vinícius Júnior — Real Madrid star, victim of alleged racist abuse in the match against Benfica.
  • José Mourinho — Benfica Lisbon coach, criticized for blaming the player for provocation.
  • Gianluca Prestianni — Benfica player accused by Vinicius of using racist slurs.