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Prestianni finished at Benfica if guilty of racist abuse, says Mourinho

Mar 03, 2026

London [UK], March 3: Jose Mourinho insists Gianluca Prestianni will have no future at Benfica if he is found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.
The Argentinian is being investigated by European governing body UEFA following allegations made by Vinicius during last month's Champions League play-off in Lisbon.
Prestianni, who denies the claims, was handed a provisional one-match ban, meaning he missed the second leg of that tie last week, while UEFA launched its investigation.
The 20-year-old faces more severe punishment if found guilty.
Benfica manager Mourinho was initially criticised for his response, in which he suggested Vinicius had incited the crowd with the way he celebrated his goal. He also did not condemn Prestianni.
However on Sunday, the Portuguese told reporters he was "completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice or ignorance or stupidity." The 63-year-old added at a press conference: "If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica's as well, then that player's career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end.
"I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn't it?
"I stand by my opinion. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it's over.
"But I have to put many 'ifs' in front of it." The flashpoint occurred after Vinicius had scored the only goal of the game early in the second half at the Estadio da Luz.
Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt at the time he was alleged to have aimed a comment in the Brazilian's direction.
Source: Qatar Tribune

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