Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has warned Gianluca Prestianni that his career at the club will be “over” if he is found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
The 20-year-old Argentine was accused by Vinicius during a Champions League play-off on February 17. While Prestianni denies the slur, he served a provisional one-match ban pending a full UEFA investigation.
“I am completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination,” Mourinho said on Sunday. “If my player did not respect these principles… then that player’s career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end.”
Mourinho, who was sent off during the controversial first leg, had previously been criticized for suggesting Vinicius incited the crowd by dancing.
However, he clarified his stance this weekend, stating that while he respects the “presumption of innocence,” a guilty verdict would be final.
Benfica has “categorically” denied reports that Prestianni admitted to the insult, stating the player apologized only for the incident’s “magnitude and consequences.”
Real Madrid advanced 3-1 on aggregate following a second-leg victory in Madrid.
