Chelsea F.C. head coach Liam Rosenior has said anyone in football found guilty of racism “should not be in the game” following allegations that Vinicius Junior was racially abused during a Champions League fixture.

Play was halted for 10 minutes during Real Madrid CF’s match away to Benfica on Tuesday after Vinicius informed the referee that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni had called him a “monkey” during a confrontation.

The Argentine midfielder, who covered his mouth during the exchange following Vinicius’ goal celebration in front of the home fans, has denied the allegation. European football’s governing body UEFA confirmed on Wednesday that it would investigate claims of discriminatory behaviour. Vinicius has been subjected to repeated racist abuse since joining Real Madrid in 2018.

Rosenior did not comment directly on the specific case but called for firm action against racism in the sport.

“It’s upsetting,” he said on Thursday. “There’s context that needs to be had in terms of this situation. What I will say is any form of racism in society is unacceptable. I cannot speak about an incident where an investigation is ongoing.

“What I would say is when you see a player upset how Vinicius Junior was upset, normally they’re upset for a reason. I’ve been racially abused myself.”

Rosenior, who is of mixed heritage, added: “If any coach, player or manager is ever found guilty of racism, they shouldn’t be in the game. It’s as simple as that for me.”

In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis — an event that sparked the global Black Lives Matter movement — Rosenior wrote an open letter to then US president Donald Trump. In it, he described what he called “an unjust, corrupt and fundamentally prejudiced society” in America rooted in a centuries-old legacy of racism.

Rosenior was also asked about homophobic chanting directed at Chelsea supporters during last week’s FA Cup tie away to Hull City A.F.C..

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League home match against Burnley F.C., he said: “There are a lot of things that need to change in our society.

“I’m not just talking about football. There’s a lot of division. There are people in the media who make prejudgements about others based on sexual orientation, where they come from, their religion or the colour of their skin.

“It sickens me, to be honest. It’s a wider debate than just football. People need to be held much more accountable — on social media, in the press — to make sure these things are stamped out.”