Khaberni - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, former player for Atlético Madrid and Chelsea, criticized Portuguese José Mourinho, manager of Benfica, for his comments after the alleged "racism" incident involving Argentinian Gianluca Prestiani and Brazilian Vinicius Junior, a Real Madrid player.
Vinicius Junior accused Prestiani of racially abusing him during the Real Madrid vs. Benfica match in the round of 16 qualifiers of the UEFA Champions League.
Hasselbaink said in statements to the "Guardian": We continue to be dragged back into this matter again. As if we have to start over every time. It never ends.
About his playing period with Atlético Madrid, he says: I was the only one who was spat on by the fans, and I was almost the only black player on the team. No one helped me, it makes you feel worthless. It makes you feel like a piece of dirt. Everyone moved on. It was not talked about much.
Kylian Mbappe, a Real Madrid player, alleged that he heard Prestiani call Vinicius "monkey" five times, although the Argentine denied using racist language.
Hasselbaink added: We all think he said something, because why would he cover his mouth? But we cannot prove it. It's still a gray area. Under the law, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt, unfortunately. He must have said something controversial, or why would he cover his mouth? He wouldn’t cover his mouth to say: Vinicius, you are a great player, extremely amazing, can I have your shirt?
Mourinho received sharp criticism regarding his stance on the incident when he linked Vinicius's celebration of the winning goal against the Portuguese club fans to the incident.
In this regard, Hasselbaink said while referring to Mourinho's famous celebration with Porto against United when he ran down the touchline at Old Trafford and slid on his knees: What on earth is he talking about? What a hypocrite, he truly is a hypocrite, it's unbelievable. He should have gone to his player and seriously asked him what he said, and pressed him, and if he said he did not issue a racial insult he should say that, and if he racially insulted he should be punished.
He continued: Mourinho has some black players at Benfica, how are they supposed to feel now?
