Jose Mourinho (foto: Getty Images)
John Obi Mikel criticised Jose Mourinho for his comments about Vinicius Junior after a racism investigation during Benfica vs Real Madrid. He called the remarks clumsy and expects an apology.
John Obi Mikel has accused Jose Mourinho of making a serious mistake with his comments about Vinicius Junior following a heated Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid.
The match at Estadio da Luz was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius opened the scoring with a brilliant goal. The Brazilian celebrated in front of home supporters and received a yellow card as tensions rose.
Shortly after, Vinicius approached the referee to report alleged abuse. Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni is accused of making racist remarks. UEFA has provisionally suspended the Argentine for one match while the investigation continues.
Prestianni denies racism and claims he used a homophobic insult instead. The case remains under review, with reports suggesting he faces a possible 10-match ban if found guilty.
After the match, Mourinho defended his player and questioned Vinicius’ behaviour.
He said: "When you score a goal like that, you celebrate respectfully. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don't comment on it.
When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing it is, is racist. Every stadium that Vinicius plays in,n something happens. Always."
Mikel, who worked under Mourinho at Chelsea, strongly disagreed. Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, the former Nigeria international said his former manager handled the situation poorly.
He said: "What I expected to hear from my old boss was yes it is under investigation, there is no place for racism, but let’s wait until it is concluded.
For him to say Vinicius shouldn’t have celebrated the way he did, that was a clumsy comment. He will be the first to know he has f*cked up. He is a smart guy, he knows."
Mikel added that Mourinho has always stood firmly against racism during his career.
"There is nobody who has played with Jose Mourinho that has a bad word to say about him, especially when it comes to racism. Zero. He will be the first to say I f*cked up. Emotions were running high."
Mourinho has since refused to expand on the controversy. When asked about the backlash, he responded: "I don't want to comment. It has been difficult for everyone. Today we were all able to be professional and do our job."
The Portuguese coach will not hold a press conference ahead of Benfica’s trip to Santiago Bernabeu, as he serves a touchline ban after being sent off in Lisbon. Prestianni will also miss the return leg.
The spotlight now shifts back to Madrid, but the wider debate around racism, player conduct, and managerial responsibility continues to dominate the fallout from a night that moved far beyond football.