Vinicius Jr was at the centre of another case of alleged racism as Real Madrid beat Benfica
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has denied racially insulting Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and says the Brazilian “misinterpreted” words he used during last night’s Champions League game.
The first leg of the play-off was interrupted for eight minutes after Vinicius scored a brilliant goal to give Madrid the lead six minutes into the second half.
As the players prepared to restart, Vinicius ran to the referee to allege Prestianni used a racial slur while covering his mouth with his shirt.
He was then involved in discussions with Benfica manager Jose Mourinho. The game finished 1-0 and Madrid will now have the advantage heading to the Santiago Bernabeu for the return clash next week.
What is Prestianni accused of?
The Argentine is accused of using the term “mono”, which is monkey in Spanish.
However, the 20-year-old insisted that was not the case and said Vinicius Jr had misheard his remark.
Writing on social media, Prestianni said: “I want to clarify that at no time did I insult Vinícius Jr who, unfortunately, misinterpreted something he thinks he heard. I’ve never been racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from the Real Madrid players.”
He added later: “If they say that, supposedly, I directed a racist insult to Vinícius Jr, why did no-one react? Accusing others of something serious is not correct, much less when it is not true. Everyone is pointing the finger at me for covering my mouth with the jersey when they know that all soccer players do it when they talk [to each other]. Stop inventing things.”
What did Vinicius Jr say?
In a post on Instagram, he said: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team’s life.
“I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.”
Mourinho blames Vinicius Jr for celebrations
Mourinho has come under fire for suggesting Vinicius Jr had disrespected the home crowd for over-celebrating his brilliant strike.
Asked if had incited the home supporters, the Portuguese said: “Yes. I believe so.
“It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal. Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way.”
The former Real Madrid boss also said Benfica can never be accused of being a racist club due to its legendary player Eusebio.
Mourinho added: “I told [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 [Eusebio] was black.
“This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. If in his mind there was something in relation to that, this is Benfica.
“They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.”
What happens now?
The referee’s report will go to European football’s governing body UEFA, who will then adjudicate.
A UEFA statement read: “The official reports from the matches played last night are currently being reviewed. Where matters are reported, proceedings are opened and should they lead to sanctions being imposed, they are announced on the UEFA disciplinary website.”
Vinicius Jr’s team-mates condemn Prestianni
Vinicius Jr has been subjected to racist abuse in the past and his team-mates were quick to stand up for the 25-year-old.
Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe said: “Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and in these kinds of important matters, it’s important to speak very clearly and not to speak in generalities.
“I have the utmost respect for Benfica and their coach, who is one of the best in history and who made history with Real Madrid. But, in my opinion, this player [Prestianni] doesn’t deserve to play in the Champions League anymore.
“We cannot accept that a player who plays in Europe’s top competition behaves like this. Let’s leave it to UEFA, who always try to do something. Now they have a serious case, and I hope they do something.”
Madrid’s England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold added: “What has happened is a disgrace to football and overshadowed the performance, as well as an amazing goal.
“Vini has been subject to this a few times throughout his career. To ruin a night like this for our team is a disgrace. There is no place for it in football or society. It is disgusting.”
Henry and Seedorf join the criticism
Television pundits Thierry Henry and Clarence Seedorf also had their say.
Henry, who was working for CBS, said: “I can relate to what Vinicius Junior is going through. That happened to me so many times on the field. At times you feel lonely because it’s going to be your word against his word, because we don’t know what he has said.
“He put his shirt over his mouth. Clearly, already, he looks suspicious because he didn’t want people to see what he said. Let’s see how big of a man Prestianni is – tell us what you said.”
Former Madrid midfielder Seedorf was critical of Mourinho in particular. He said on TNT Sports: “I think he is still emotional.
“He’s saying it’s OK, when Vinicius provokes you, to be racist – and I think that is very wrong.
“We should never, ever justify racial abuse. Vinicius has had enough of that unjustified behaviour from people. I know Mourinho by heart would agree with me but he expressed himself a bit unfortunately.”
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