Rio Ferdinand defends José Mourinho with reservationsVinicius affair: Rio Ferdinand stands up for José MourinhoJust hours before the Champions League playoff second leg between Real Madrid and

Jose Mourinho has been heavily criticised by his former player John Obi Mikel after his comments regarding Vinicius Jr and the racism row involving one of his Benfica players

Rio Ferdinand has defended Jose Mourinho after the Benfica boss faced criticism for his comments following Vinicius Jr's racism allegations against Gianluca Prestianni.

Thibaut Courtois was "disappointed" by José Mourinho's claim that Vinícius Júnior's goal celebration led to the star being allegedly racially abused.

"That was a clumsy, clumsy comment from . He will be the first, he knows, he will be the first to know ‘I’ve f*cked up here’..."

On the eve of the clash between Real Madrid and Benfica, it was not José Mourinho who faced the press — but his assistant, João Tralhão. With Mourinho absent and tensions simmering following his sending-off in the first leg,

Jose Mourinho “f*cked up” with his “clumsy” comments on Vinicius Junior, claims former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel. The Portuguese coach attracted criticism following a Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid that sparked another racism row.

Gianluca Prestianni will miss the second leg of Benfica's Champions League tie against Real Madrid after Uefa reject the club's appeal against his suspension.