Following Vinicius’ racial accusation against Gianluca Prestianni, Real Madrid custodian Thibaut Courtois spoke out about one aspect of Jose Mourinho’s tenure as Benfica manager that let him down.
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League match because Vinicius informed the referee that Prestianni made racially derogatory statements.
Mourinho suggested after the game that the home crowd were agitated by Vinicius’ dancing celebration.
In an interview before Saturday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu, Courtois addressed Mourinho’s remarks, saying the coach had disappointed him by defending Vinicius’ racist celebration.
The custodian expressed his disappointment, saying, “Mourinho is Mourinho. As a coach, you will always defend your club and believe your player… but one thing disappointed me,” as cited by Fabrizio Romano.
“Mourinho was making an excuse out of Vini’s celebration. No amount of partying can excuse bigotry.