Galatasaray has declared its intention to pursue criminal proceedings against Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho after charging him with making "racist statements" following the clubs' recent match, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate. The specific statements in question were not clarified by Galatasaray, but they stem from remarks made by Mourinho during his post-match press conference on Monday.
After the match, Mourinho commented on the performance of 19-year-old defender Yusuf Akcicek, expressing gratitude towards the referee for avoiding a potentially disastrous situation. In the same breath, he referred to the opposing bench's reactions, stating that they were "jumping like monkeys." His criticisms extended to Turkish referees, insisting that allowing a local official to oversee the match would have been problematic.
In their formal statement, Galatasaray stated: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce 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." They announced their decision to pursue legal action against Mourinho and to file official complaints with UEFA and FIFA.
Mourinho, who has a storied managerial career with clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United, was appointed Fenerbahce manager in the summer of 2023. Earlier this season, he faced sanctions for criticizing refereeing standards in Turkey, showcasing a pattern of controversial statements. Following the match, he welcomed the decision to use a foreign referee, highlighting the importance of credibility for the match's image.
The situation is set against the backdrop of Mourinho's tumultuous tenure in Turkey, where he has faced scrutiny for his comments. Galatasaray's response reflects the gravity with which they are taking the accusations, as they monitor Fenerbahce's approach to what they term "the reprehensible conduct" of their manager. Deepening the rivalry, both clubs now find themselves at the center of a heated controversy within Turkish football.
