The Mourinho gag order comes into full effect as the Benfica boss silences his squad following the Vinícius Júnior racism scandal. The Portuguese tactician is a master of controlling the narrative. However, the current storm surrounding the Estádio da Luz requires drastic measures. Following severe allegations of racism against his player Gianluca Prestianni, Mourinho has locked down the dressing room. He demands total focus on the upcoming league match against Desportivo das Aves.
Mourinho Gag Order Attempts to Quell Chaos
Sources indicate that Mourinho explicitly forbade any mention of Real Madrid or the controversial Champions League fixture. The manager wants to hermetically seal his squad from the outside noise. Nova Sports News understands that this ban extends to the specific incident involving Vinícius. The Brazilian winger accused Prestianni of calling him a “monkey.” Kylian Mbappé corroborated this claim.
Mourinho knows his team is vulnerable. They trail league leaders Porto by seven points. A slip-up against relegation-threatened Aves would be disastrous. Prestianni himself will not play due to a domestic suspension. This absence conveniently removes the primary target of the media’s attention from the spotlight.
Gaslighting Accusations and Victim Blaming
The controversy runs deeper than the alleged slur. Mourinho sparked global outrage with his post-match comments. He suggested that Vinícius invited the hostility through his “provocative” celebration. “He is not happy with just scoring a great goal,” Mourinho told Amazon Prime. “He should celebrate with respect.”
These comments drew sharp rebukes from anti-racism charity criticism. Groups accused the manager of “gaslighting” the victim. They argue that focusing on a player’s celebration distracts from the core issue of discrimination. Mourinho defended the club’s history, citing black legends of Benfica. Yet, critics argue this defense misses the point entirely. Abuse occurred in the present, regardless of the past.
The Truth Behind the Slur
Confusion still surrounds the specific words used. While Vinícius heard racial abuse, Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni offered a twisting detail. He revealed that Prestianni claimed to have used a homophobic slur instead of a racial one. This defense hardly paints the Benfica player in a better light. UEFA disciplinary proceedings are now underway to determine the truth. Real Madrid has submitted all available video and audio evidence.
Nova Sports News notes that the second leg in Madrid will be a powder keg. Mourinho creates a siege mentality to protect his players. However, his comments have alienated neutral observers. By shifting blame onto the victim, he has turned a football match into a cultural battleground. The Mourinho gag order might save their league form, but it cannot undo the reputational damage caused by his words.
