Jose Mourinho sounded like he was victim blaming - but Vinicius Junior needs empathy over alleged racist abuse

Vinicius Junior had every right to want to leave the pitch - and for the game to be abandoned.

Because while he is a superstar of the game, well used to the biggest Champions League occasions, being the target of racism cannot be excused as coming with football's tribalism.

This was reporting being racially abused at work. Just after adding another wondrous strike to his collection of goals.

The accused - Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni - has every right to a thorough process if he persists with denials.

And the UEFA case has to be watertight before imposing the minimum 10-game ban for racism.

But Benfica have gone beyond defending their man with statements, showing no empathy with a player who has been singled out for hate because he is black too often in his career.

There has been no acknowledgement of how difficult it is to take a stand and report abuse, halting a match being watched worldwide by millions.

There has been no recognition of the anguish Vinicius will be feeling, even if, as a club, you do not believe he was called a monkey by Prestianni on Tuesday night in Lisbon - five times, according to his Real teammate Kylian Mbappe.

You can recognise that personal pain as a club without admitting wrongdoing.

For all the courage and dignity demonstrated by Vinicius - praised by his Brazilian FA bosses - there was only deflection and no compassion from Jose Mourinho and Benfica.

They only complained about facing a "defamation campaign", and appropriated the memory and legacy of Eusebio and the black superstar's legendary career with them in the 1960s and 70s as evidence that the club cannot be racist. That overlooked the racism Eusebio endured.

How does Benfica reaffirming their "historical and unwavering commitment to defending the values of equality, respect, and inclusion" align with victim blaming?

Mourinho suggested Vinicius incited the crowd with his goal celebration.

And yet if there is anyone in football known for goading, overexuberant celebrations, it is Mourinho himself on the touchlines.

UEFA has avoided saying anything beyond the appointment of an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate.

But FIFA President Gianni Infantino did speak out in a statement naming Vinicius, showing "full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination" and saying: "We need all the relevant stakeholders to take action and hold those responsible to account."

But that did not happen when another Real Madrid player, Antonio Rudiger, reported being racially abused last year.

It was in the Club World Cup - a tournament run by FIFA. An investigation was launched, but no one was held to account.

Read more on Sky News:
UEFA investigates Vinicius allegations
Fans jailed for Vinicius racist abuse

So, when the world asks why racism is still a stain on the game, why black players fear being abused in stadiums and online, the words and actions of those with status and power come under greater scrutiny.

And at the heart of it is Vinicius feeling he isn't being protected enough by football, and could have to face the alleged perpetrator next week in the second leg in Madrid.

(c) Sky News 2026: Jose Mourinho sounded like he was victim blaming - but Vinicius Junior needs empa