Kompany Blasts Mourinho Over Vinicius Racism Row, Calls Comments a ‘Huge Leadership Mistake’

Vincent Kompany, manager of Bayern Munich, has publicly criticized Jose Mourinho following the controversy surrounding the alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Junior during a recent European clash.

The incident occurred during UEFA Champions League playoff action between Real Madrid and Benfica, after Vinicius scored the decisive goal. The Brazilian winger later claimed he was racially abused by Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho suggested that Vinicius may have provoked the home crowd through his goal celebration — remarks that have since sparked widespread debate across the football world.

Kompany, however, strongly disagreed with Mourinho’s stance, emphasizing the responsibility of leaders in football to protect players rather than question their reactions in sensitive moments.

“You have the leader of an organisation, Jose Mourinho, who attacks the character of Vinicius Jr by bringing in the type of celebration to discredit what Vinicius is doing in this moment,” Kompany said.
“In terms of leadership, it’s a huge mistake and something we should not accept.”

Opinion: Football Must Choose Unity Over Narratives

This controversy once again exposes a recurring problem in football — shifting attention away from alleged abuse and toward the victim’s behavior. Whether intentional or not, focusing on celebrations instead of the accusation risks minimizing the seriousness of racism in the sport.

Kompany’s response stands out because it reflects a modern leadership approach: accountability, empathy, and protection of players’ dignity. In contrast, Mourinho’s comments — though possibly meant as analysis — have been perceived by many as reinforcing harmful narratives that victims “bring it upon themselves.”

Football has made progress in fighting discrimination, but moments like this reveal that the cultural battle is far from over. The sport’s biggest voices — coaches, players, and administrators — shape public perception. When they speak, they either move the game forward or hold it back.

Ultimately, the Vinicius situation is bigger than a single match or rivalry. It is about what football wants to represent globally: competition with passion, or competition without respect.