Kompany Reacts to Vinicius Jr. Racism Row

The Vinicius Jr. racism controversy has taken another serious turn after Vincent Kompany comments on Vinicius and openly criticised the Jose Mourinho Vinicius statement that followed the match.

Speaking about the incident, Kompany made it clear that he believed Vinicius Junior’s reaction on the pitch was genuine and emotional. According to him, there was no visible benefit for the Real Madrid forward to approach the referee and raise such a serious accusation unless he truly felt something unacceptable had happened.

Kompany explained that when he watched the sequence again, Vinicius’ response could not be faked. He described it as a natural reaction in a painful moment. The Belgian coach also pointed out that Kylian Mbappe appeared certain about what he heard during the game and remained clear in his post match remarks.

The situation, however, became more complicated after the final whistle. Kompany was particularly critical of the Jose Mourinho Vinicius statement, claiming that the veteran coach attacked the player’s character instead of focusing on the alleged abuse itself.

Mourinho had referenced Vinicius’ celebrations and suggested that such behaviour contributed to the atmosphere around him. Kompany strongly disagreed with that approach. He said leadership means protecting players who report discrimination, not questioning their motives based on personality or style.

The former Manchester City captain also addressed the argument that certain clubs could not be associated with racism because of their history and legendary figures. He mentioned that simply pointing to iconic black players from the past does not erase the possibility of racist incidents in the present.

Kompany spoke emotionally about what black players experienced in the 1960s and how many were forced to remain silent due to lack of support. He reflected on how times have changed, but also warned that not every player in Europe has the same protection or platform as Vinicius.

He referenced players in leagues across Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia, suggesting that if they were subjected to abuse, they might not receive the same level of backing. In his view, Vinicius Jr. racism allegations are being heard largely because the Brazilian has a global voice and because others before him pushed for change.

Kompany also shared a personal experience, recalling an incident at Club Brugge where he and members of his staff were racially abused. He revealed that they were called offensive names, and despite filing complaints, the matter faded without significant consequences. His frustration was clear as he questioned what happens to those who do not have influence or media attention.

At the same time, Kompany attempted to strike a balanced tone. He acknowledged that Mourinho is widely respected by players who have worked with him and admitted he understands that managers often defend their teams passionately. However, he insisted that in this case, the Portuguese coach made a mistake.

For Kompany, the key issue is not personality, celebration style or rivalry. He argued that if any player reports racism, the focus should remain on investigating the claim fairly. Punishing someone unfairly is wrong, but so is dismissing or discrediting a player who says he has experienced something painful.

The Vinicius Jr. racism debate has once again highlighted how complex these situations can become, especially when emotions, reputations and club loyalties are involved. Kompany’s intervention adds another influential voice to the conversation and shifts attention back to the central question of accountability.

As the Vinicius Jr. racism controversy continues to dominate headlines, pressure will grow on football authorities to deliver clarity and transparency. Kompany’s message was ultimately about unity. He urged football to look at what can be done together rather than allowing divisions to deepen.

Whether this moment leads to meaningful action remains to be seen. What is certain is that Vincent Kompany comments on Vinicius have intensified scrutiny of the Jose Mourinho Vinicius statement and reignited a wider discussion about racism in modern football.