Carragher Attacks Mourinho After Criticism of Vinicius' Celebration: "Hypocritical Behavior"

Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool legend, launched a sharp attack on Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, the current manager of Benfica, calling him a hypocrite, following his critical remarks about Vinicius Junior's celebration after the match between Real Madrid and Benfica in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.

Details of the Incident

Vinicius was the star of the match after scoring the winning goal that gave Real Madrid an advantage ahead of the return leg. The match saw an altercation between the Brazilian player and Benfica's winger, Gianluca Prestianni, who faced accusations of racist remarks, leading to a stoppage of about 10 minutes according to FIFA and UEFA protocols before play resumed.

Controversial Remarks by Mourinho

After the match, Mourinho criticized Vinicius' celebration in front of Benfica fans, insisting that he advised him to simply celebrate and return to his place, adding: "I told him that the last club that can be described as racist is this club, especially considering Eusebio, the greatest figure in the club's history, who was black. But there is something unnatural, as this always happens in any stadium where Vinicius plays."

Carragher's Stance

Carragher described Mourinho's remarks as inconsistent, considering it strange for a coach known for provocative celebrations to criticize a player's celebration, especially in the context of racial allegations. He said: "Any player has the right to celebrate in the way they want, and they should not face any racial abuse. But when the criticism comes from Mourinho, it seems hypocritical, as he is a coach who has provoked opponents more than anyone else."

Carragher added: "Remember when Mourinho ran along the touchline at Old Trafford, and also in the FA Cup final against Liverpool when Chelsea scored a late goal and he asked the fans to be silent by putting his hand behind his ear. So it seems strange to criticize Vinicius for celebrating a crucial goal in a big Champions League match. He has every right to celebrate in the way he wants."