In a highly charged press conference ahead of Bayern Munich’s next fixture, head coach Vincent Kompany passionately came to the defence of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who reportedly faced racial abuse during a Champions League encounter against Benfica. The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, where, according to UEFA protocol, the referee halted proceedings for ten minutes following a complaint lodged by the Brazilian winger against Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
The situation has been further inflamed by comments from Benfica’s manager, Jose Mourinho, who has seemingly implied that the blame lies partly with Vinicius due to his celebratory actions after scoring. Amid the uproar, Kompany was both candid and emotional as he dissected the unfolding events and condemned Mourinho’s approach.
Kompany’s disapproval was palpable, as he expressed dismay at Mourinho’s stance, which he deemed a “huge mistake.” Kompany remarked, “To attack Vinicius’ character by linking his celebration to the abuse he suffered is unacceptable. Leadership should never involve discrediting someone standing up against racism.”
Referencing his own experiences with racial abuse throughout his career, Kompany drew parallels to past incidents involving other high-profile players. He poignantly recounted, “It happened to me twenty years ago at Seville against Real Betis. With fans mimicking monkey chants, it was an ugly scene. I’ve witnessed similar incidents throughout my playing days and coaching career, where no significant consequences followed. If it happens to those with a voice, what hope is there for those without?”
As Kompany concluded his reflection, he was empathetic towards Mourinho’s motivations, acknowledging his commitment to his team but urging for a better response to such incidents in future. “I recognise Mourinho’s dedication, but this was an error of judgement. We must aspire for unity and address these matters appropriately moving forward.”
The discourse surrounding Vinicius Jr’s ordeal and Mourinho’s reaction has sparked widespread debate across the footballing fraternity, reinforcing the importance of tackling racial abuse with sensitivity and solidarity.