"If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica's as well, then that player's career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end. I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn't it?"
"I stand by my opinion. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it's over. But I have to put many 'ifs' in front of it."
"He was 'completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice or ignorance or stupidity,' emphasizing that such behavior contradicts both his personal values and those of Benfica as an institution."
Gianluca Prestianni, a Benfica player, is under UEFA investigation for allegedly racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during a Champions League playoff match in Lisbon. Prestianni denies the allegations and received a provisional one-match ban. Manager Jose Mourinho initially faced criticism for his response, which suggested Vinicius incited the crowd through his celebration. However, Mourinho subsequently clarified his stance, stating he is completely opposed to discrimination and that if Prestianni is found guilty, his career at Benfica under Mourinho will end. Mourinho emphasized the presumption of innocence while making clear that guilt would result in permanent consequences for the player.
Read at ESPN.com
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