- Chelsea F.C. head coach Liam Rosenior has called for lifetime bans for any player, coach, or manager found guilty of racism,
- UEFA has opened an investigation following claims that Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior was racially abused by S.L. Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni
- Rosenior stressed that racism in football reflects broader societal issues and called for stronger accountability
Chelsea F.C. head coach Liam Rosenior has urged that any player, coach, or manager found guilty of racism in football “shouldn’t be in the game,” following allegations during a recent Champions League match.
UEFA has launched an investigation after claims that Real Madrid CF’s Vinícius Júnior was racially abused by S.L. Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during Madrid’s 1-0 victory in Lisbon on Tuesday, February 17.
Speaking on Thursday, February 18, about the incident, Rosenior said he could not comment on the case directly while the investigation is ongoing but made his position clear.
“If any player, any coach, or any manager is found guilty of racism, they shouldn’t be in the game. It’s as simple as that. It’s upsetting. Any form of racism in society, not just football, is unacceptable. When you see a player as upset as Vinícius was, normally they’re upset for a reason,” Rosenior said.
The incident drew different reactions, with Benfica manager José Mourinho accusing Vinícius of inciting the crowd with his goal celebration. Rosenior, however, defended the Brazilian winger and shared his personal experiences.
“I have been racially abused myself,” he said. “When you are judged for something you should be proud of, it is the worst feeling you can ever imagine.”
Benfica have defended Prestianni, describing the allegations as a “defamation campaign.” They posted footage of the incident on social media, arguing that the distance made it impossible for Real Madrid players to hear what they reported.
Rosenior emphasised that racism in football mirrors wider societal issues and called for stronger accountability.
“There needs to be more accountability. There’s a lot of division, and people are prejudged based on their background, religion, nationality, or the colour of their skin. Everybody should be judged equally based on the content of their character,” he said.