Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says Vinicius Junior’s goal celebration against Benfica cannot be used to excuse alleged racist abuse during last week’s Champions League tie in Portugal.
Vinicius reported that he was racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni shortly after scoring the only goal of the first-leg knockout match, which Real won 1-0.
Prestianni denies the accusation but has been given a provisional one-match ban by UEFA and will miss the return leg in Madrid while an investigation continues.
The Brazilian was booked for celebrating in front of the home supporters after his strike, and Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho suggested afterwards that the forward had shown a lack of respect and provoked the reaction.
“Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way,” Mourinho said.
Courtois, who previously played under Mourinho at Chelsea, rejected that argument and defended his team-mate.
“Mourinho is Mourinho and, as a coach, you’ll always defend your club,” he said. “But it bothers me that Vinicius’ celebration is being used against him.
“Vini didn’t do anything bad. He celebrated the same way many rivals have celebrated against us. It happened, and we can’t justify a suspected act of racism because of a celebration. I think we have to be less stupid as a society.”
The match at the Estadio da Luz was paused for around 10 minutes after Vinicius alerted referee Francois Letexier, with Real Madrid players briefly leaving the pitch before returning when the forward chose to continue.
Courtois said the squad had been prepared to take a stronger stance if necessary. “Vini has never said anything like that, so I’m 100% sure he heard it,” the Belgium international added.
“I believe him completely. Since he’s keeping quiet, we’ll never know for sure, but there’s not much more we can do.”
There were also reports of racist gestures from sections of the crowd. Courtois believes stronger action is required if similar incidents occur again.
“The other things that happened in the stands, in my opinion, warrant stopping the match and kicking those people out,” he said. “As footballers, we don’t see everything, but there have to be people in charge who act.”
UEFA confirmed Prestianni’s suspension is provisional pending the outcome of a full disciplinary investigation, with further punishment possible.
