Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has condemned Jose Mourinho’s response to the alleged racial abuse of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., calling the Benfica manager’s comments “unacceptable.”
The fallout follows Real Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League win over Benfica on Tuesday, which was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr. reported abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
Following the match, Mourinho criticized Vinicius’s goal celebration as “disrespectful” and cited club legend Eusebio as proof that Benfica is not a racist club.
Speaking Friday, Kompany accused Mourinho of attacking the victim’s character to deflect from the incident.
“In terms of leadership, it’s a huge mistake and it’s something that we should not accept,” Kompany said. “To bring in the type of celebration to discredit what Vinicius is doing… is a mistake.”
Kompany also dismissed the Eusebio comparison, noting the systemic silence Black players were forced into during the 1960s.
While former striker Benni McCarthy suggested Mourinho’s “very wrong” comments were fueled by emotion rather than malice, Vinicius Jr. remained defiant on social media, labeling racists as “cowards.”
UEFA has opened an investigation into Prestianni, who denies the allegations. If found guilty, the 20-year-old faces a minimum 10-match European ban.
