Jamie Carragher slams Jose Mourinho’s stance on Vinicius Jr incident
Jamie Carragher has accused Jose Mourinho of hypocrisy after the Benfica manager suggested Vinicius Jr’s goal celebration contributed to a heated exchange during Real Madrid’s Champions League win in Lisbon.
The flashpoint came during Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their play-off tie a result that gives the Spanish side a narrow edge heading into the return leg.
Vinicius scored the only goal of the night. After celebrating in front of Benfica supporters, he was confronted by Gianluca Prestianni. Broadcast footage showed the Benfica player covering his mouth with his shirt collar while speaking to the Brazilian forward.
Vinicius later alleged he had been racially abused. Play was halted for roughly 10 minutes after he initially declined to continue.
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The allegation is the latest in a series of incidents involving Vinicius in recent seasons, particularly in Spain, where cases of racist abuse have led to arrests and stadium sanctions. Given that history, Mourinho’s comments after the match quickly became part of the wider debate about how football addresses racism.
Mourinho’s post-match remarks
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Mourinho suggested the winger’s celebration had escalated tensions.
"Yes. I believe so. It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal. Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way.
"I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.
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"When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.
"There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. A stadium where Vinicius plays something happens, always."
His remarks drew swift criticism, with several pundits arguing that no style of celebration can justify racist abuse.
CBS panel pushes back
On CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage, Carragher was blunt.
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“Anyone can celebrate how they like and he shouldn't get racially abused no matter what,” the former Liverpool defender said. “It just feels a little bit rich coming from Mourinho, not so much the racial angle and the Eusebio stuff, but this is a guy who celebrates and antagonises the opposition more than any coach has ever done in the past.”
Carragher pointed to Mourinho’s own history of provocative celebrations, including running down the touchline at Old Trafford and cupping his ear toward opposing supporters after dramatic goals.
“It's a bit rich coming to him having a pop at Vinicius Jr for his celebration for a huge goal in a huge Champions League game,” Carragher added. “He's more than entitled to celebrate how he likes.”
Micah Richards, also on the panel, said he was disappointed by Mourinho’s framing of the situation.
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"I'm just disappointed," Richards said during the broadcast. "Mourinho is someone I absolutely love as a coach and he could have just talked about something different when he was trying to deflect.
"I expect better from him because he's a powerful person within the sport, a lot of people listen to what he says and Jamie's right, hypocrisy from him talking about Vini Jr when he celebrates exactly how he wants and I just feel a little bit let down."
UEFA has yet to confirm whether it will formally review the alleged incident.
Sources: CBS Sports Champions League broadcast, post-match press conference remarks
