\n<\/p>\n
Mourinho was seen speaking with Vinicius after he walked off the pitch following the interaction with Prestianni.<\/p>\n
But it was Mourinho’s post-match comments that were the most shocking.<\/p>\n
While publicly backing his player Prestianni, Mourinho suggested Vinicius had incited tensions through his celebration in front of the home support.<\/p>\n
“You score a goal from another world, why celebrate like that?” Mourinho said. <\/p>\n
“The same thing always happens in so many stadiums. In how many states has this happened? In how many stadiums? How many? How many? <\/p>\n
“He’s an out of this world player, I love him. Vinicius tells me one thing and Prestianni tells me another. I want to be balanced.”<\/p>\n
The remarks sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Mourinho of shifting attention away from the racism allegations and placing responsibility on the victim instead.<\/p>\n
In addition to expressing his belief that Vinicius had been disrespectful with his goal celebration, he pointed to the club’s legendary striker Eusebio as proof that Benfica are not a racist club.<\/p>\n
Asked if he felt Vinicius incited the crowd, Mourinho said: “Yes. I believe so.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
He added: “When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusebio] was black.<\/p>\n
“This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n