Football icon Clarence Seedorf has delivered a blistering critique of Benfica manager José Mourinho, accusing the veteran coach of making a “big mistake” by appearing to rationalize racial abuse. The controversy erupted following Tuesday’s Champions League playoff first leg in Lisbon, where Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior reported a racist slur from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. Seedorf, speaking as a pundit for Amazon Prime, expressed deep disappointment in Mourinho’s post-match rhetoric, which suggested that the Brazilian winger’s goal celebration provoked the hostile reaction from the home crowd and opposition players.
The high-stakes fixture at the Estádio da Luz ground to a halt for ten minutes early in the second half after Vinicius Junior curled a magnificent solo effort into the top corner. During the subsequent celebration near the corner flag, Prestianni reportedly pulled his jersey over his mouth and directed an insult at the 25-year-old. After Vinicius alerted referee François Letexier, the official activated the UEFA anti-racism protocol, resulting in a lengthy delay that saw the Madrid star briefly retreat to the bench in protest.
“I think he [Mourinho] made a big mistake today to justify racial abuse, and I’m not saying that was the case today, but he mentioned something more than today,” Seedorf told Amazon Prime. “He said wherever he goes, these things happen, so he is saying it’s OK when Vinicius provokes you, that is, it’s OK to be racist, and I think that is very wrong. We should never, ever justify racial abuse. And Vinicius has had enough of that unjustified behaviour from people.”
Mourinho’s comments during his media duties drew immediate fire from several high-profile figures in the sport. The Benfica boss claimed he told Vinicius to “celebrate in a respectful way” and noted that “something happens” in every stadium the forward visits, a remark many interpreted as victim-blaming. Seedorf argued that such logic effectively gives a green light to discriminatory behavior whenever a player exhibits a confident or provocative style of play. This stance contrasts sharply with Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa and teammate Kylian Mbappé, who both offered unwavering support to Vinicius while calling for strict UEFA sanctions against Prestianni.
The fallout from the “Lisbon Incident” has now triggered a formal UEFA disciplinary investigation into the conduct of the Benfica players and supporters. As the football world prepares for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next week—which Mourinho will miss due to a late-game red card for dissent—Seedorf’s intervention highlights a growing intolerance for any narrative that shifts the burden of racism onto the target. The Dutch legend emphasized that the sport must protect its stars from systemic abuse regardless of their on-field antics or celebrations.
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