Ferdinand defends Mourinho over Vinicius Jr racism row: 'He hasn't got a racist bone in his body'

Rio Ferdinand has defended previous Real Madrid honcho Jose Mourinho among a backlash against the Benfica head preceptor’s handling of the Vinicius Junior racism row.

Real Madrid onward Vini Jr racked up the single need of the gallery on 51 minutes as the La Liga side outdistanced Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Winners League tinker-off match.

The Brazilian expressed joy by dancing in front of the edge flag, motivating Benfica fans to angrily react in yesteryear the Portuguese side’s onward, Gianluca Prestianni, presumably termed Vini Jr a “primate” as the 2 teams intended to kick-off.

After the racism protocol kicked in, there was little little referee Francois Letexier can swipe on on the pitch as Prestianni had confined his mouth through his t shirt.

Previous Chelsea, Tottenham as well as Manchester United honcho Mourinho risked to defend his nightclub in the results of the shuck by condemning Vinicius Jr.

Mourinho said: “It ought to be the ludicrous minute of the gallery, an thrilling need. These talents are able to swipe on these romantic points, but unfortunately not just festive to rating thrilling need. As speedily as you rating a need like that, you be glad in a respectful way.

“I assume so [that Vinicius Jr incited the crowd]. Then the words that they exchange, Gianluca Prestianni through Vinicius, I pine to be independent. I saw 2 faultlessly opposite points. I pine to be independent, as well as I don’t comment around it.

“I oriented him [Vinicius Jr] specifically that. I oriented him, ‘once you rating a need like that you just be glad as well as stroll earlier.’ As speedily as he was disclosing around racism, I oriented him the greatest user [Eusebio] in the history of this nightclub was black. This nightclub, the last thing that it is, is racist.

“If in his subconscious there was something in relation to that, this is Benfica. They [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] oriented me opposite points. But I don’t assume in one or another. I pine to be independent.”

UEFA decided on Monday that Prestianni has been outlawed for Benfica’s match against Real Madrid on Wednesday night as they reinforce to dissect the claims of discriminatory manner.

A UEFA testament read: “Taking place the appointment of a UEFA Ethics as well as Corrective Assessor (EDI) to dissect claims of discriminatory manner throughout the UEFA Winners League 2025/2026 Knock-out Tinker-off match in between SL Benfica as well as Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026.

“Upon application of the EDI through an meanwhile record, the UEFA Improvement, Ethics as well as Corrective Body (CEDB) today desperate to provisionally suspend Mr Gianluca Prestianni for the next off (1) UEFA nightclub party match for which he would otherwise be eligible for the prima facie crime of Brief post 14 of the UEFA Corrective Directives (DR) fretted discriminatory manner.

MORE REAL MADRID COVERAGE ON F365…
* Nostalgic Kompany defends Vinicius Jr as well as condemns Mourinho ‘substantial inaccuracy’
* Mourinho prey condemning is ‘unquestionably meaningless’ – even if Vinicius can be ‘a kn*b’ often
* Real Madrid suggest ‘bombshell swap offer’ through Liverpool as bars have ‘overlapping curiosities’

“This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary physiques may consequently gain abiding through the verdict of the reoccuring investigation as well as its respective entry to the UEFA disciplinary physiques.

“Further information around this matter will be rendered available in due training course.”

And also now Manchester United tale Ferdinand has defended Mourinho as well as reckons the previous Chelsea supervisor “hasn’t obtained a racist bone in his physique”.

Ferdinand said on his YouTube network: “I reckon Jose, in time, will sit there as well as go, ‘Unquestionably I come close to that amiss.’

“And also it doesn’t gain Jose Mourinho a racist by the way.

“I reckon Jose Mourinho has executed sufficient for black footballers from almost everywhere the planet, that attractiveness at him like a dad figure, to item that the individual hasn’t obtained a racist bone in his physique.

“I just reckon he come close to this predicament, unfortunately, amiss.

“I’d love to listen to what his thoughts are on it now, mostly, given that all of it spilled over from those remarks.”