Galatasaray are pressing charges against Jose Mourinho "derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people" after Monday's 0-0 draw in the Istanbul Derby.
Since Joining Fenerbahce in July, the 62-year-old has not always seen eye-to-eye with Turkish referees because of several controversial decisions in the league this season. Both Clubs (Galatasaray and Fenerbahce) requested the Turkish Football Federation to appoint a neutral foreign referee to ensure a fair and peaceful match which was granted by the Federation and welcomed by both managers.
After the match, Mourinho praised referee Slavko Vincic’s excellent performance and added that this match was going to be difficult if it was handled by a Turkish official. Before kick-off, the players refused to shake hands and things later boiled up into the press conference when Mourinho expressed how he felt and viewed this match. “Everyone on the opponent’s bench was jumping like monkeys. If it were a Turkish referee, they would have immediately given the card, and I would have had to take the player off in a minute.”
Galatasaray have responded by posting a statement on X “Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric. We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA. Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahçe—an institution professing to uphold “exemplary moral values”—in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.”
Mourinho has been facing a lot of backlash on the comment, but he has yet to respond to the allegations made against him.
Being outspoken has always landed Mourinho in trouble earlier this season after Fenerbahce’s 3-2 Super Lig win at Trabzonspor. He was charged with unsportsmanlike behaviour towards opposing team fans diminishing the value of Turkish football and discrediting the impartiality of the referees and other match officials. He was found guilty and was banned for one match and was fined £15,000.
