Former Manchester City defender backs Vinicius’ version of the racism incident: ‘Not lying’ | OneFootball

The Vinicius Jr.-Gianluca Prestianni saga took a new twist earlier today when it came to light that the Benfica player handed an official statement to UEFA about the events that unfolded during the game against Real Madrid.

As part of his words, Prestianni clarified that he did not use any racial slur against Vinicius and all that he used were homophobic insults – indirectly hinting that Vinicius Jr. was lying.

As unbelievable as it sounds, however, that statement has been accepted given that there is no other evidence, and it remains to be seen what comes of the entire saga. For Vinicius and Real Madrid, however, the situation does not look very promising in terms of justice being handed down.

Micah Richards weighs in

Speaking to The Rest Is Football in a recent interview, former Manchester City defender and current football pundit Micah Richards revealed how he strongly believed that Vinicius Jr. was not lying about what happened on the field.

“Vini is not lying. Mbappe is not lying. What would they need to lie about?,” he began.

The saga is heating up. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

He then spoke on Jose Mourinho’s post-match statements which have drawn a lot of slack, and how he was personally disappointed by the manner in which the Special One handled the entire situation.

“Mourinho let me down. Mourinho’s comments afterwards, someone you look up to, you idolise, the special one, even when his career isn’t gone the way he wanted to in recent years, although he’s doing well in Benfica,” he began.

“The way he talks, his charisma, way he handles himself, yeah he rubs people the wrong way, but I absolutely love him,” he added on Mourinho’s character.

Richards then revealed what the ideal response from Mourinho would have been, and how the path he chose to tread was one of the worst options available.

“He had a chance to just say ‘We haven’t seen all the evidence, I don’t want to pick a side, we’ll let the authorities know what’s needed and deal with it afterwards.'”

“But all the noise coming out afterwards, it’s just pathetic,” he added.

Finally, he openly condemned Mourinho’s statements on Vinicius Jr’s celebration, saying,

“The celebration comments against Vini, it’s coming from a man who storms the pitch. I just can’t comprehend it.”