'Anyone found guilty of racism should not be in the game'

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has demanded lifetime bans for anyone in football convicted of racist behaviour, declaring that “they shouldn’t be in the game” after UEFA opened an investigation into claims that Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior was racially abused by Benfica teenager Gianluca Prestianni during Tuesday’s Champions League encounter in Lisbon.

Prestianni, 19, denies the accusation and faces a minimum 10-match European suspension if found guilty. Speaking ahead of his own side’s fixtures, Rosenior refused to pre-judge the ongoing case but made clear the sport must adopt a zero-tolerance stance.

“If any player, any coach or any manager is found guilty of racism, they shouldn’t be in the game. It’s as simple as that,” Rosenior said. “When you see a player as upset as Vinícius was, normally they’re upset for a reason.”

The Chelsea manager, who has personally experienced racial abuse, underlined the emotional toll such incidents exact. “I have been racially abused myself. What people need to understand is when you are judged for something you should be proud of, it is the worst feeling you can ever possibly imagine.”

Benfica defended their player on social media, posting a video clip and claiming the Real Madrid delegation “could not have heard what they claim to have heard” because of the distance involved. The Portuguese club described the fallout as a “defamation campaign” against Prestianni.

Benfica manager José Mourinho, meanwhile, accused Vinícius of provoking home supporters with his goal celebration in Madrid’s 1-0 win. Rosenior declined to address Mourinho’s comments directly but stood firmly behind the Brazilian winger, who has reportedly been the target of more than 20 alleged racist incidents since arriving at Real Madrid eight years ago.

Asked what broader changes are required, Rosenior said the problem extends beyond football. “It sickens me to be honest. There’s a lot of division. People are judged on sexual orientation, nationality, religion, skin colour. Everybody should be judged equally based on the content of their character.”

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo echoed the call for universal action. “Racism needs to be eradicated all over the world. There is no space in football or society, and for me, it is final.”

UEFA’s investigation into the Prestianli-Vinícius incident continues, with European football’s governing body yet to set a timetable for a disciplinary verdict.