Thibault Courtois says Vinicius Jr made decision to keep playing UEFA Champions League match against Benfica, hits back at Jose Mourinho

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Thibaut Courtois has been facing the press ahead of Real Madrid’s second leg tie against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Real Madrid have a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg thanks to Vinicius Junior’s winner - but that goal was overshadowed by allegations of racism, with UEFA investigating the claims. Courtois has now elaborated on the subject.

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has spoken out in a press conference about the racism allegations that overshadowed the opening UEFA Champions League play-off tie between the Spanish giants and Benfica.

Courtois was very clear in his stance that if his team-mate Vinicius Junior - who alleges he was racially abused - had not been willing to continue the match, then "we would have taken a stand."

Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 away from home, but the match result has been overshadowed by the allegation, which has sparked a war of words on both sides, as players and coaches responded to the incident.

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During the match, Vinicius scored the winner, but shortly afterwards reported Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni to the referee for racist abuse, triggering UEFA’s racism protocol.

Prestianni had been seen walking up to Vinicius, with his shirt over his mouth.

The Brazilian then left the pitch as the match was stopped for 10 minutes, but Real Madrid did complete the game - which Courtois indicated was Vinicius’ decision in a press conference on the eve of the return tie, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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"In the end, the problem is that... it was Vinicius who decided that we went back to playing," Courtois elaborated, as reported by Reuters.

"If Vini had said no, that he couldn't continue, then I think as a team we would have taken a stand there.

"Then, obviously, the other things that happened in the stands, for me, are reasons to stop a match and throw those people out.

"If it happens right in front of someone who is two metres away - a Benfica stadium security guard - then that person has to act and call the authorities... I think we can keep improving, and I think as a society we also need to stop being so foolish."

Courtois was referencing an incident later in the game after it had restarted, when someone appeared to throw an object at Vinicius, while there were also reports of gestures being made by some members of the crowd.

"You may like a player more or less, but making those gestures is shameful... I haven't seen if they've said anything about going after their fans who made those monkey gestures," Courtois continued.

"But with everything that has happened, there are many things that haven't been done well. I think that racism, homophobia, all of these things, we simply cannot accept them and the insult is equally serious."

The incident has shocked the footballing world, with Benfica’s manager Jose Mourinho giving his take, while Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany also had a say.

'I try to be balanced' - Mourinho on Vinicius racism row

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In response to Mourinho’s comments that centred around whether Vinicius’ celebrations were proportional, Courtois was swift to defend his team-mate.

"Vini didn't do anything wrong. He celebrated the way many opponents have celebrated against us too," Courtois added.

"In the end, we need to move on and leave it at that. We can't justify an alleged act of racism with a celebration."

The return leg of the knockout tie is on Wednesday, February 25 at the Bernabeu - but Prestianni will not play, as he has been handed a provisional one-match ban by UEFA.

UEFA’s investigation into "allegations of discriminatory behaviour" remains ongoing, while Benfica have indicated they will appeal their player's one match ban.

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