Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has criticised Jose Mourinho for his comments about Vinicius Junior after he was allegedly racially abused by Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni.
Last week’s meeting between the two sides in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs was temporarily paused after Vinicius reported the incident to referee François Letexier.
UEFA have handed a provisional one-match ban to Prestianni while their investigation is ongoing, meaning he will miss the return leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Prestianni is alleged to have called Vinicius a ‘monkey’ in Spanish, but reports claim that he has told UEFA he used a homophobic instead.
“It seems he said it, and that’s just as serious,” Courtois said at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “Homophobic insults are unacceptable, just like what happened in the stands in Lisbon. A player may rub you the wrong way, but gestures like that are shameful. Racism and homophobia are equally unacceptable.”
Courtois thinks that football’s anti-racism rules are “improving”, but believes that racist gestures from spectators in the stands should result in the game being stopped.
“Ultimately, it’s up to Vinicius to decide whether the match continues,” he said. “If he says no, we’d consider leaving. UEFA decides the rest.
“But the stands? That’s a reason to stop the match and remove the offenders. A player shouldn’t have to see that; it’s the official’s responsibility, and authorities should be called. We need to stop being so foolish as a society.”
Real Madrid star Courtois slams Mourinho over Vini Jr comments
Courtois also took umbrage with Mourinho’s suggestion that Vini Jr brought it on himself for celebrating his winning goal too much.
The Belgium international said: “Mourinho is Mourinho. As a coach, you always defend your club and your players. What disappoints me is using Vinicius’ celebration.
“Vinicius did nothing wrong; he celebrated like any player would against us. When you score on Real Madrid, the reaction is double or triple for most teams. We have to move on, but a celebration cannot justify alleged racism.”
Read – Chelsea boss Rosenior calls for bans over racist behaviour amid Madrid row
See Also – Barcelona prefer Premier League winger to permanent Rashford deal
