Mourinho tight-lipped over Vinicius racism row as Benfica head to Bernabeu

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho stayed tight-lipped about the controversy surrounding Gianluca Prestianni’s alleged racial abuse of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior as his side prepares for the Champions League second leg at the Bernabeu. When pressed after Benfica’s 3-0 win over AVS he offered a curt reply: "I don't want to comment." Mourinho said his squad's focus remains entirely on their professional duties on the pitch.

A Benfica press officer intervened to note that "There is a UEFA investigation underway and the boss is not available to answer." Mourinho acknowledged the strain around the training ground: "I repeat that it has been difficult for everyone. I am not going to specify at what level the difficulties were.

They and I were able to be professional." The silence from the hierarchy suggests a desire to keep the focus purely on footballing matters. On the field Benfica remain the only unbeaten team in the Primeira Liga, but a high number of draws has left them third with 55 points after 23 matches, behind Porto on 62.

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