Turkish Football Club Galatasaray Accuses Manager Mourinho of Racism

Turkish football club Galatasaray has accused Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho of making racist statements following a heated 0-0 draw in the Super Lig, announcing they will initiate criminal proceedings against the Portuguese coach, Al Jazeera reports.

While Galatasaray has not specified the exact statements they are objecting to, Mourinho reportedly criticized the home side’s bench for “jumping like monkeys” and claimed the match would have been a “disaster” if a Turkish referee had been in charge. The match was officiated by Slovenian Slavko Vincic after both clubs requested a foreign referee.

In a strongly worded statement on X, Galatasaray accused Mourinho of “persistently issuing derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people” since joining Fenerbahce.

“Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric,” the club stated, adding, “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.”

Mourinho, the former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur manager, has a history of criticizing Turkish football and officials. He has previously been fined and suspended for comments about Turkish referees. Following Monday’s game, he reiterated his criticism of Turkish referees during a press conference.

In November, Mourinho was banned for one game and fined after a scathing attack on Turkish football, claiming he was fighting “the system” and suggesting officials are biased against his team.

Mourinho is currently managing Fenerbahce in the Europa League, where they are scheduled to face Scottish side Rangers in the round-of-16 in March.