Jose Mourinho on Vinicius-Prestianni incident: “If he’s guilty, his career with me is over” | OneFootball

After choosing not to speak publicly in recent appearances, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho stepped forward ahead of the Portuguese league fixture to address the controversy that has dominated headlines since the Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

The focus remains on the tense moment involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Junior during the game against Real Madrid. 

UEFA’s decision to remove Prestianni from the match at Santiago Bernabeu and the subsequent reactions from both sides have only intensified scrutiny.

Sharing an honest verdict

Before addressing the details, Mourinho made it clear that his position is built on principles. 

He stressed that Benfica represents certain values and that any player under his leadership must respect them. 

With that foundation set, he delivered a direct message regarding his Argentine forward.

“If my player (Prestianni) did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s, his career with a coach named Mourinho and at a club like Benfica will come to an end.”

At the same time, Mourinho immediately balanced that warning by emphasising that no conclusions should be drawn prematurely. 

He explained that fairness must prevail until facts are confirmed.

“The presumption of innocence is a right, but I have to put a lot of ‘ifs’ in front of it. If you want me to repeat what I have already said twenty times, I will. 

“UEFA did not include the ‘if…’ that should have been included.

Mourinho has opened up on the Prestianni-Vinicius incident. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“If the player is really guilty, I will never look at him the same way again, and that’s the end of it for me, but I have to put a lot of ‘ifs’ in front of it.”

On Arbeloa’s comments

The Portuguese coach also felt compelled to clarify his stance after comments from Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa. 

Mourinho insisted that his intention was never to defend blindly nor attack the opposition, but to remain balanced in what could be a serious situation.

“I love Alvaro, and I will continue to love him, but I think I was the one who made the right decision, not him. 

“I mentioned this at the press conference in Madrid, when I was confronted with Alvaro’s statements and those of a player in the accusation against Prestianni and the defence of the Real Madrid player. 

“And where I said: ‘I want to be balanced, neither defending my team nor attacking the other’. 

“Even before that, I used the terminology ‘I don’t want to wear either the red shirt, Benfica, or the white shirt, Real Madrid’.

“I want to be impartial in a case that could be very serious,” the Benfica coach explained.

Later in the session, Mourinho returned once again to the same theme, stating his position is conditional and based on due process rather than emotion.

“I am not a scholar, but neither am I ignorant, and the presumption of innocence is a right. If you want me to repeat what I repudiate twenty times, I will. 

“If the player is really guilty, I will never look at him as I have done, and that’s the end of it for me, but I have to put a lot of ‘ifs’ in front of it,” he added.

Source: AS