Football France unfortunately has the monopoly of controversies. Galatasaray accused José Mourinho, the trainer of Fenerbahce, of having made “racist remarks” after the draw between the two rival clubs of Istanbul on Monday evening and announces that he wants to file a complaint.
“We formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist remarks made by José Mourinho, and we will therefore file official complaints with UEFA and FIFA,” Galatasaray said in a statement accompanied by the slogan « Say no to racism »without specifying what declarations were targeted.
Speaking at a press conference after the 0-0 draw, the 62-year-old Portuguese coach said that “the Galatasaray bench jumped like monkeys” in response to arbitral decisions.
Fenerbahçe coach Jose Mourinho, who has regularly made humiliating words of Turkish people since he started working in Turkey, has added inhuman discourses to his immoral expressions today.
Jose Mourinho about these racist discourses of the prosecutor’s office crime… pic.twitter.com/wwwoE9zrHD
– Galatasaray Sk (@galatasaraysk) February 24, 2025
Mourinho “thanked the referee” Slovenian Slavko Vinceic, who, according to him, was more impartial than the Turkish referees. The Turkish Federation had appointed a foreign referee to officer in this stormy match, Fenerbahçe accusing the Turkish referees of promoting Galatasaray, leader of the championship in front of his rival.
“Since he took office in Türkiye, Jose Mourinho, the coach of Fenerbahçe, has continued to make derogatory statements towards the Turkish people,” added Galatasaray. “Today, his speech has gone from simple immoral comments to inhuman rhetoric”.
“In addition, we will carefully observe the position adopted by Fenerbahçe – an institution which claims to defend + exemplary moral values + – in response to the reprehensible conduct of his manager,” concluded Galatasaray.
In Türkiye, José Mourinho was sentenced to a fine of € 18,000 in November 2024, after having severely criticized a referee. Galatasaray leads the Turkish championship with 6 points ahead of his Dauphin Fenerbahce.
Neither Mourinho nor Fenerbahce made a comment immediately.