Head coach of Chelsea F.C., Liam Rosenior, has declared that anyone found guilty of racist conduct in football has no place in the sport, following allegations arising from a UEFA Champions League fixture earlier this week.
UEFA has launched an investigation into claims that Vinícius Júnior was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid CF’s 1-0 victory over S.L. Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Speaking on Thursday, Rosenior said he could not address the specific allegations while the inquiry remains ongoing, but stressed his firm opposition to racism in any form.
“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,” he said. “It’s upsetting. Any form of racism in society, not just football, is unacceptable. When you see a player as upset as Vinícius was, normally they’re upset for a reason.”
Benfica manager José Mourinho accused Vinícius of provoking supporters with his goal celebration. However, Rosenior offered support for the Brazilian winger and reflected on his own personal experience.
“I have been racially abused myself,” Rosenior stated. “When you are judged for something you should be proud of, it is the worst feeling you can ever imagine.”
Benfica have rejected the allegation against Prestianni, describing it as a “defamation campaign.” The club also shared video footage of the incident on social media, arguing that the physical distance involved would have made it impossible for Real Madrid players to hear the alleged remarks.
Rosenior further observed that racism in football mirrors broader societal challenges, urging stronger accountability across the sport.
“There needs to be more accountability. There’s a lot of division, and people are prejudged based on their background, religion, nationality, or the colour of their skin. Everybody should be judged equally based on the content of their character,” he added.
