In an interview given to L’Équipe, former France international Lilian Thuram (54) has criticised Benfica coach Jose Mourinho for his comments following the alleged act of racism directed at Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr.
Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni has been accused of insulting Vinicius using racial slurs during this week’s Champions League match. Mourinho – Prestianni’s coach – refused to be drawn on whether those comments were made. However, he did suggest that Vinicius had brought any abuse on himself with his over-exuberant goal celebration, observing that “there is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. Every stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens. Always.” For French World Cup winner Thuram, this was not acceptable from a major figure in the game.
Thuram, who has focussed on the fight against racism since his retirement from football, has said that “the nature of his comments are why we are not advancing. Mourinho is a great coach, with an exceptional career, who has worked with many black players and yet that hasn’t stopped him, firstly from questioning the veracity of the act of racism and, secondly from suggesting that the responsibility lies with the victim [Vinicius], for the way in which he celebrated his goal. How can he say that?”
Thuram continued, rhetorically: “who are you, Mr Mourinho, to dictate what Vinicius does, or doesn’t, have the right to do? There is, in his judgement, a sense of superiority and white narcissism. The racist act of which Vinicius is a victim is not due to his behaviour but to the colour of his skin.
“Do you think that when children who are victims of racist acts in school or on the football pitch it is because of their behaviour? No. So what is needed? For Vinicius and children to come to football or to school with another skin colour?
“Mourinho suggests that it is Vinicius’ fault, that he asked for it, basically. It’s totally shocking. That superiority complex of some white people prevents them from putting themselves in the place of the victims. They need more humility. And how can you not take into account what the players are saying? So Vinicius is mad, he ran to the referee with a fabricated insult? Mbappe heard it too so Mbappe is mad too? The blacks are mad, is that it? They’re paranoid and make up stories…?
“When Mourinho wants to make us believe that Vinicius is responsible for the racism he suffers, it’s pathetic. With that analysis, he [Mourinho] becomes a small person, a small man. As long as there is behaviour like that, we won’t all be unified to fight it. And that is also the story of racism. Mourinho is not considering the racist act as a man, but as a white man. One does not need to think with one’s skin colour.”
