Jose Mourinho’s Bernabeu return with Benfica is overshadowed by a touchline ban and a racism row involving his player, casting a shadow over the crucial Champions League play-off.
JOSE Mourinho’s long-awaited return to the Santiago Bernabeu has been upended by a touchline suspension and a deepening racism controversy.
The Benfica manager will watch from the stands for Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg after being sent off during his team’s 1-0 first-leg defeat.
His homecoming is further complicated by the fallout from alleged racial abuse aimed at Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni.
READ MORE: Real Madrid submits evidence to UEFA in Vinicius racism case
UEFA has provisionally suspended Prestianni for one game pending an investigation, meaning he will also miss the decisive match in Madrid.
Mourinho, who won La Liga with Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, cannot communicate with his team from the bench. “It’s hard for me, but my teammates and my assistants are there, they’ll do their job,” he said.
The first-leg incident, where Vinicius accused Prestianni of using a racial slur, has dominated the build-up. Vinicius wrote on social media that “racists are above all cowards”, while teammate Kylian Mbappe said he heard the Benfica player call Vinicius a monkey.
Prestianni insists he did not racially abuse the Brazilian winger. Mourinho’s subsequent comments drew widespread criticism after he suggested Vinicius’s goal celebration was disrespectful and defended Benfica’s anti-racist credentials by citing club legend Eusebio.
Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf strongly condemned Mourinho’s stance. “He’s saying it’s okay, when Vinicius provokes you, to be racist — and I think that is very wrong,” Seedorf told Amazon Prime. “We should never, ever justify racial abuse.”
Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold called the incident a “disgrace to football”. The second half of the first leg was paused for around 10 minutes following the allegations.
On the pitch, Madrid holds a slender advantage as they seek to avoid a shock early exit. The tie represents a major test for their coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, a former Mourinho disciple who replaced Xabi Alonso in January.
Rumours persist that president Florentino Perez, a known admirer, could bring Mourinho back to the club next season if the current campaign ends poorly.
The Sun Malaysia
