Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher has criticised Jose Mourinho for suggesting Vinicius Jr provoked a reaction from Benfica fans and players before reporting alleged racist abuse.
Real Madrid's Vinicius left the field in Lisbon after reporting Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni to the referee. The match was paused in line with UEFA regulations, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes, with Vinicius going on to play the full game in Real's 1-0 Champions League win.
The incident came after the Brazilian had given his team the lead with a wonderful individual strike five minutes into the second half. After celebrating in front of the home fans, he became visibly upset about something said to him and immediately informed the referee.
After the game Mourinho was critical of Vinicius' celebration, saying "when you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way."
Later asked if he believed that Vinicius 'incited' the home crowd and players with his celebration, the Benfica boss added: "Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don't comment about it."
His comments prompted criticism from pundits including Carragher, who described Mourinho as "a guy who celebrates and antagonizes the opposition probably more than any coach has ever done."
'Vinicius more than entitled to celebrate'
"Anyone can celebrate how they like," Carragher said on CBS. "You shouldn't get racially abused no matter what.
"It feels a little rich coming from Mourinho.
"Remember him running down the touchline at Old Trafford. I remember in a cup final against Liverpool when Chelsea scored very late [Mourinho was] telling all the Liverpool supporters to shut up.
"It's a bit rich coming from him to be having a pop at Vinicius Jr for his celebration. It's a huge goal in a big Champions League game, he's more than entitled to celebrate how he likes."
'It's hypocrisy from Jose'
Meanwhile, Richards described Mourinho's comments as "hypocrisy".
"Mourinho is someone who I absolutely love as a coach," the former Man City defender said on CBS' Champions League coverage.
"I expect better from him because he's a powerful person within the sport. A lot of people listen to what he says.
"It's hypocrisy from him talking about Vinicius Jr when he celebrates how he wants."
Seedorf: Mourinho made 'big mistake'
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who was working as a pundit at the game, said Mourinho made "a big mistake" with his comments.
He said on Amazon Prime: "I think he 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.
"He said wherever he goes these things happen, so he's saying it's OK when Vinicius provokes you, that is it OK to be racist and I think that is very wrong.
"We should never, ever justify racial abuse."
Maubcptuyz
0
I’ve lost my respect to Jose..thought dat old fool is one of us…not knowing he has only used our black brothers to boost his cv….hypocrisy at d fullest
Have you seen how Vini always starts a fight
Piycklnpuz
0
why was vini also booked. players can also control their actions that may cause uneccessry tensions in matches
Piycklnpuz
1
But why is it always and mostly about Vini and not the other players?
adedefender
0
The Special One was a very big Scumbag yesterday
cazbimory
0
All this racist thing because of Messi he started it
cazbimory
0
Remember Diego simoni showing how he fucking Madrid when they won the first leg in Madrid and then cr7 hattrick in the return leg and cr fucked back that to this day is also iconic
vinijrbrazil
0
vinikey
dougiefresh
0
i too remember Mou running down the touchlime at Old Trafford and i also remember a good Scholes goal incorrectly being ruled offside. Mou went on to win the UCL when he should and wouldve been eliminated if it was now with VAR.
Tuslmtuy
0
argentinas can never ever change their attitudes about racistism. they are the most racist country in the world. they deliberately kicked out all the dark skin people in their country.
Shut up abeg, the Benfica fans that were still throwing up rac@ist gestures are Portuguese not Argentines, you forget to note that Portugal was one of the leading sla@ve traders. All are ra@cists not just Argentina
nauikmosy
0
I’ve hated Mourinho from today. I thought he was a Madrid fan but he just coached the team out of his looking for a job. He should never bother coming back to the Bernabeu
Vini makes real to look like a circus. 🤣🤣
hiocikloru
0
I’ve hated Mourinho from today. I thought he was a Madrid fan but he just coached the team out of his looking for a job. He should never bother coming back to the Bernabeu
He doesn't know you
Richard0010
0
Now you see, when adebayor celebrated against arsenal we all criticized him, in such a match you’re not suppose to provoke your opponent when you’re in an away match, I didn’t support the racism which if the benfica player is found guilty he should be punished for that… but as for vini I think if he had celebrated with Madrid fans maybe all this talk will not have happened… my own opinion tho.
Bro, God bless you
Maubcptuyz
0
argentinas can never ever change their attitudes about racistism. they are the most racist country in the world. they deliberately kicked out all the dark skin people in their country.
Enzo,garnacho will not appreciate you for that!,a person is not a country!
Maubcptuyz
0
Thank You, God Bless You ❤️💯
Best opinion!
Maubcptuyz
1
Not like that in front for your Liverpool fans,when you’ve never won a league cup,you never understand the respect of home fans!
GaddafiJamal
1
Now you see, when adebayor celebrated against arsenal we all criticized him, in such a match you’re not suppose to provoke your opponent when you’re in an away match, I didn’t support the racism which if the benfica player is found guilty he should be punished for that… but as for vini I think if he had celebrated with Madrid fans maybe all this talk will not have happened… my own opinion tho.
Thank You, God Bless You ❤️💯
EmeraldJ
3
Mourihno is My Man but he is totally wrong in his statement. He's trying to make sure he maintains the support of Benfica fans but he should have not commented at all that this trash he said. No one celebrates awkwardly to annoy opponents like Mourihno and Simeone. So he lacks the moral right to judge Vini on that one
Rhymblack
3
Now you see, when adebayor celebrated against arsenal we all criticized him, in such a match you’re not suppose to provoke your opponent when you’re in an away match, I didn’t support the racism which if the benfica player is found guilty he should be punished for that… but as for vini I think if he had celebrated with Madrid fans maybe all this talk will not have happened… my own opinion tho.
jekbeilnru
0
I’ve hated Mourinho from today. I thought he was a Madrid fan but he just coached the team out of his looking for a job. He should never bother coming back to the Bernabeu
Ohh true oo he has become idiot coach,he has no sense 😠😠😠😠😠
jekbeilnru
2
Mourinho as a coach acted unprofessionally this time round,he should have not said that as a professional coach like you 😠😠😠😠😠😠😱😱😱😱
/MADRIDISTA
3
I’ve hated Mourinho from today. I thought he was a Madrid fan but he just coached the team out of his looking for a job. He should never bother coming back to the Bernabeu
67957meyer
1
Mourinho should be ashamed of himself is vini the only player to have provoked another? or was that the only insults to use against him?
bohbcdikmr
3
I’ve lost my respect to Jose..thought dat old fool is one of us…not knowing he has only used our black brothers to boost his cv….hypocrisy at d fullest
Kizacikmny
3
argentinas can never ever change their attitudes about racistism. they are the most racist country in the world. they deliberately kicked out all the dark skin people in their country.