If Gianluca Prestianni is found guilty of racist abuse against Vinicius Junior, Jose Mourinho says he would never again play for Benfica.
Vinicius claimed that Prestianni had made racist remarks during the first leg of Benfica’s Champions League knockout match against Real Madrid in Lisbon on February 17, according to Naija News. The charge has been refuted by the 20-year-old.
UEFA suspended Prestianni for the Madrid return leg. Benfica attempted, but was unable, to appeal the ruling. The player may be banned for a long time if found guilty, and UEFA is still looking into the matter.
Mourinho stated in a statement on Sunday that if the accusations are validated, he will respond decisively.
He declared, “My player’s career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end if that player does not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s as well.”
Mourinho, who came under fire for implying that Vinicius had inspired supporters with his goal celebration during the first leg, went on to say he is against all types of prejudice.
“I vehemently oppose any form of discrimination, prejudice, ignorance, or stupidity,” he declared.
“I am not an academic, but I am also not a fool. Isn’t it a basic right to be presumed innocent?
I don’t change my mind. If the player is guilty, my relationship with him is done, and I will never look at him the same way.
“But I have to preface it with a lot of ‘ifs.'”
When UEFA will wrap up its probe has not been disclosed.
