Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has strongly condemned racism in football, saying anyone found guilty of racist behaviour “should not be in the game.”
His comments come after Vinicius Junior was allegedly racially abused during a Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica earlier this week.
Allegations During Champions League Match
The game was temporarily stopped for about 10 minutes after Vinicius reported to the referee that Benfica’s Argentine midfielder, Gianluca Prestianni, had called him a “monkey” during an on-field confrontation.
The allegation came after Vinicius celebrated a goal by dancing in front of the home fans. Prestianni has denied the accusation.
European football governing body UEFA has since announced it will investigate the alleged discriminatory behaviour.
Vinicius has faced repeated incidents of racist abuse since joining Real Madrid in 2018, sparking widespread debate about racism in football.
Rosenior Speaks Out
While Rosenior said he could not comment directly on the ongoing investigation, he made his position clear.
“When you see a player upset the way Vinicius was upset, normally they’re upset for a reason,” he said. “Any form of racism in society is unacceptable.”
Rosenior, who is of mixed heritage, also revealed that he has personally experienced racial abuse.
“If any coach, player or manager is ever found guilty of racism, they shouldn’t be in the game. It’s as simple as that for me,” he added.
Wider Issues in Football and Society
Rosenior also addressed broader issues of discrimination in society. He criticised prejudices based on sexual orientation, religion, nationality and skin colour, saying stronger action is needed both in football and beyond.
He previously wrote an open letter to U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis — an incident that sparked the global Black Lives Matter movement.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League match against Burnley, Rosenior said racism and discrimination must be stamped out, and that people must be held accountable, especially on social media and in the press.
The investigation into the Champions League incident is ongoing.
