Fenerbahçe’s Portuguese coach José Mourinho sparked controversy by commenting that Galatasaray’s bench players were “jumping around like monkeys.”
In response, Galatasaray announced their intention to file complaints with UEFA and FIFA over “racist remarks” and initiate criminal proceedings against the coach.
Mourinho has often found himself at the center of controversies throughout his career, whether at Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Chelsea, or Tottenham. His stint in Turkey has been no different, as he has previously faced penalties for comments about referees.
Galatasaray did not specify which statement they were referring to in their accusations. However, after the match, Mourinho criticized the behavior of Galatasaray’s bench and remarked, “Their players were jumping around like monkeys.” He also stated that if a Turkish referee had officiated the game, it would have been a “disaster.”
The highly anticipated clash between the two Turkish rivals ended in a 0-0 draw. After 24 matches, Galatasaray leads the league with 64 points, while Fenerbahçe sits second with 58 points.
Upon request from both clubs, the match was officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić, who has experience officiating in the 2022 World Cup, as well as Euro 2020 and 2024.
After the match, Mourinho revealed that he had visited the referees’ dressing room.
“I went to the referees’ room after the match. The fourth official, a Turkish referee, was also there. I thanked the main referee (Vinčić), saying, ‘Thank you for coming here and taking charge of such a big match.’ Then I turned to the fourth official and said, ‘If you had been the referee today, it would have been a disaster.’ When I said that to him, I actually meant all of them, their natural tendencies.”
Early in the match, a challenge from Fenerbahçe’s 19-year-old defender Yusuf Akçiçek caused a heated reaction from Galatasaray’s bench. Mourinho later praised Vinčić for his handling of the situation, criticizing Turkish referees for being too quick to hand out cards.
“I thanked the referee for this incident. Because if a Turkish referee had been in charge, with the way one of their players dived in the first minute and the way their bench players were jumping around like monkeys over the young boy (Akçiçek)… a Turkish referee would have immediately given a yellow card, and within five minutes, I would have had to sub him off.”
Galatasaray reacted strongly to Mourinho’s remarks on social media.
“During his time coaching in Turkey, Fenerbahçe’s coach José Mourinho has repeatedly made offensive remarks about the Turkish people. Today, his words have gone beyond mere unethical comments and reached a level of outright cruel rhetoric.”
“We officially announce that we will initiate criminal proceedings against José Mourinho for his racist statements and formally file complaints with UEFA and FIFA. At the same time, we will closely monitor Fenerbahçe’s stance on this matter, as they have always upheld exemplary ethical values.”
When asked for comments on the allegations, neither Fenerbahçe nor Mourinho immediately responded to Reuters.
This is not Mourinho’s first disciplinary issue in Turkey. He has previously been fined and suspended for making controversial remarks about Turkish referees.
