Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said anyone in football who is found guilty of racism “should not be in the game.”
On Tuesday, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior briefly refused to return to the field after alleging he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.
The Portuguese side have since defended their player, claiming there is a “defamation campaign” against him, whilst manager Jose Mourinho accused Vinicius of provoking the incident with his celebration of a goal.
Prestianni, who has denied directing racial abuse at the Brazilian, could face a minimum 10-match ban from European competition if found guilty.
UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the incident but Sky Sports News has been told the process could take up to three weeks to conclude.
Rosenior though, whilst not commenting on the case directly, believes authorities must take firmer stance against racism.
“It’s upsetting,” he said. “There’s context that needs to be had in terms of this situation. What I will say, any form of racism in society is unacceptable. I cannot speak about an incident where an investigation is ongoing.
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says the football community should do more in combating racism following the alleged racist abuse targeted at Vinicius Junior during the Benfica and Real Madrid game.
“What I would say it when you see a player upset how Vinicius Junior was upset, normally they’re upset for a reason. I’ve been racially abused myself.
“What people have to understand is when you are judged for something you should be proud of, it is the worst feeling you can ever possibly imagine. There are historical things to racism.
“I need to, as manager of this club, make my statement on it.
“If any coach, player or manager is ever found guilty of racism, they shouldn’t be in the game. It’s as simple as that for me.”
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Journalist Darren Lewis insists there needs to be bigger deterrents, including lengthy bans, to tackle racism in football after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr was allegedly racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
Real Madrid provide ‘all available evidence’ to UEFA in Vinicius racism case
Real Madrid say they have supplied “all available evidence” to UEFA as the governing body investigates allegations of racism made by their forward Vinicius Junior.
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Clinton Morrison criticises Gianluca Prestianni for covering his mouth during alleged racist abuse against Vinicius Junior in their Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid.
UEFA said on Wednesday it had opened a disciplinary investigation into events at the match, and Real have now issued an update.
“Real Madrid CF announces that it has today provided UEFA with all available evidence regarding the incidents that occurred [on] Tuesday, February 17, during the Champions League match that our team played in Lisbon against SL Benfica,” a club statement read.
“Our club has actively co-operated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match.
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Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has been subjected to a number of racist insults prior to the alleged incident at Benfica.
“Real Madrid is grateful for the unanimous support and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all sectors of the global football community.
“Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence and hatred in sport and in society.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
