Alleged racism: ‘He has done enough for black footballers’ – Rio Ferdinand defends Mourinho
Sport Alleged racism: ‘He has done enough for black footballers’ – Rio Ferdinand defends Mourinho Published on February 25, 2026 By Don Silas googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1500386953281-8'); }); Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has defended Jose Mourinho after the Benfica manager was widely criticized for his stance on the alleged racial abuse toward Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. This comes after Mourinho refused to throw his support behind Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni or Vinicius in the aftermath of the alleged racial scandal that marred the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 play-off first leg tie last week between Benfica and Real Madrid. Instead, Mourinho accused Vinicius of provoking the abuse with his celebration in front of Benfica fans after he scored the only goal of the match. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1524595905268-5'); }); Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand said Mourinho has done enough for black players, adding that he is not a racist. He also admitted that the Portuguese approached the situation wrongly. “I think Jose, in time, will sit there and go, ‘Maybe I approached that wrong.’ And it doesn’t make Jose Mourinho a racist by the way,” Ferdinand said. “I think Jose Mourinho has done enough for black footballers from all over the world, who look at him like a father figure, and that is to suggest that the guy hasn’t got a racist bone in his body.” Don't Miss Premier League club that rejected opportunity to sign Ademola Lookman revealed You may like EPL: Eze sacrificing parts of his game under Arteta’s tactics at Arsenal – Ferdinand EPL: His connection with Odegaard isn’t like before – Ferdinand raises concern about Saka AFCON towel controversy: Ferdinand urges CAF to query Morocco over ball boys’ action EPL: Why Man Utd sacked Amorim – Ferdinand EPL Title: Ferdinand questions Saka over comment on Arsenal, Man City 2025 AFCON: Ferdinand names countries to win trophy in Morocco