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Galatasaray Accuses Mourinho of Racism, Files Complaint

Published 2 months ago on Feb 25, 2025

Galatasaray Accuses Jose Mourinho of Racism, Plans Legal Action Against Fenerbahce Boss.

Galatasaray has announced its intention to file a criminal complaint against Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho, accusing him of making racist comments following Monday’s intense Istanbul derby.

The highly anticipated match between the two fierce rivals ended in a goalless draw, but the aftermath has been overshadowed by allegations of racism against the Portuguese manager. Mourinho, 62, is alleged to have made inflammatory remarks during a post-match press conference, prompting immediate backlash from Galatasaray.

Mourinho’s Controversial Remarks

During the press conference, Mourinho claimed that Galatasaray had attempted to influence the referee by trying to get one of his players booked early in the game. In a statement that has sparked outrage, Mourinho said, "Everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys."

Galatasaray responded swiftly, condemning the comment as racist and accusing Mourinho of frequently making derogatory remarks about Turkish people since his arrival in Istanbul last year. The reigning Super Lig champions released a strongly worded statement, accompanied by the hashtag #SayNoToRacism.

“[Mourinho] has now added inhumane rhetoric to his immoral statements,” the club declared. “We would like to inform you that we will file a criminal complaint with the prosecutor’s office and that we will also file a complaint with UEFA and FIFA regarding these racist statements.”

Galatasaray also called upon Fenerbahce to take action against their manager, emphasizing that they will closely monitor the club’s response. “We shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce—an institution professing to uphold ‘exemplary moral values’—in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.”

Mourinho’s Defense and Further Controversy

Mourinho has yet to directly respond to Galatasaray’s accusations. However, during his post-match comments, he defended his players and took aim at the refereeing standards in Turkey. He praised Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, who officiated the derby, suggesting that a Turkish referee would not have handled the match fairly.

“The reason this was a good match was because of the referee’s performance. He had enough honesty to manage this match well,” Mourinho stated.

However, he further inflamed tensions with his remarks about the opposing bench, leading to accusations of racism. “In the situation I mentioned, everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around 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.”

Reaction from Galatasaray Players and Management

Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen, who has previously been targeted by Mourinho’s criticism, reposted the club’s statement on his Instagram story in a show of support. Mourinho had earlier praised Osimhen’s talent but also accused him of diving too much during games.

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk also condemned Mourinho’s actions, particularly his decision to enter the referee’s dressing room after the match. Buruk did not hold back in his criticism, mocking the Fenerbahce boss.

"Mourinho took a long time to cry. The Crying One… He’s famous for crying. He went into the referee’s room and cried. Let him keep crying," Buruk said.

He further condemned Mourinho’s behavior, stating, “It is very wrong for him to speak insultingly to the Turkish referee. He said that if they were the ones managing, it would be like this. This is very wrong. I cannot believe that he is humiliating the Turkish referees so much, I condemn it.”

A Heated Derby with High Stakes

Monday’s match saw seven yellow cards issued in a fiery encounter. The game was momentarily halted when Fenerbahce fans launched flares into the home supporters’ section. Authorities deployed around 30,000 police officers to maintain order at the high-stakes fixture.

The draw leaves Fenerbahce in second place in the Super Lig, trailing Galatasaray by six points with 12 games remaining in the season. Mourinho, who took over at Fenerbahce last year, now faces scrutiny not only for his team’s performance but also for his off-field remarks.

Galatasaray’s decision to pursue legal action against Mourinho could have significant consequences for the Portuguese manager. If UEFA and FIFA decide to investigate the matter, he could face disciplinary action, including possible suspensions or fines.

Mourinho has previously spoken out against racism in football, but this latest controversy puts him at the center of serious allegations. With tensions between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce already at an all-time high, the fallout from this incident is likely to extend beyond the pitch.

For now, all eyes will be on how Fenerbahce and football’s governing bodies respond to Galatasaray’s formal complaints.

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