Chelsea Coach Demands Lifetime Ban for Anyone Guilty of Racism in Football
Chelsea F.C. head coach Liam Rosenior has said anyone found guilty of racist behaviour in football “shouldn’t be in the game,” following allegations made during a Champions League match this week.
UEFA has launched an investigation into claims that Real Madrid CF’s Vinícius Júnior was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni during their 1-0 victory over S.L. Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Speaking to BBC Sport on Thursday, Rosenior said he could not comment directly while the inquiry continues but made his stance clear.
“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. 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,” he said.
Benfica manager José Mourinho has accused Vinícius of provoking the crowd with his goal celebration, but Rosenior defended the Brazilian and reflected on his own experiences.
“I have been racially abused myself. When you are judged for something you should be proud of, it is the worst feeling you can ever imagine,” he said.
Benfica have defended Prestianni, calling the allegations a “defamation campaign” and posting footage on social media, claiming the distance made it impossible for Real Madrid players to hear the reported incident.
Rosenior added that racism in football mirrors wider societal issues and called for stronger accountability.
“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.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
