Chelsea Coach Demands Lifetime Bans for Racism in Football

Liam Rosenior, head coach of Chelsea Football Club, has urged football authorities to impose lifetime bans on any players, coaches, or managers found guilty of racist behaviour, following reported racial abuse during a UEFA Champions League tie.

The call came after allegations emerged that Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior was racially targeted by S.L. Benfica academy graduate Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid’s 1–0 victory over Benfica in Lisbon earlier this week. UEFA has launched an investigation into the claims.

Speaking on Thursday, Rosenior said he could not comment on the specifics of the ongoing probe but made his stance on racism unmistakably clear.

“I believe that if any player, coach, or manager is proven guilty of racist conduct, they should no longer be allowed to participate in the sport,” he said. He described racism in football — and society at large — as unacceptable, noting the emotional impact it has on those targeted.

“It’s deeply upsetting,” Rosenior added. “Any form of racism, in football or in everyday life, should not be tolerated. When you see a player as visibly distressed as Vinícius was, there’s always a reason behind it.”

Rosenior, who has spoken openly about facing racist abuse himself, emphasised that judgments based on someone’s background, religion, nationality, or skin colour are fundamentally wrong and highlight wider societal problems.

Benfica, however, have defended Prestianni, dismissing the accusations as part of a “defamation campaign.” The club posted video clips of the incident on social media to argue that the players were too far apart for the alleged abuse to have been heard.

Rosenior said football must do more to address discrimination at all levels. “There needs to be more accountability,” he said. “Too often there’s division, and people are prejudged. Everyone should be judged equally — on their character, not their identity.”

The incident has once again brought racial abuse in football into the spotlight, prompting renewed calls from players, coaches, and campaigners for stronger sanctions and more effective measures to eradicate discrimination from the game.