Legendary Portuguese coach José Mourinho receives four-match ban for racist comments

Maksym Inshakov News28.02.2025 12:38

The legendary coach José Mourinho, who has been at the helm of Fenerbahçe since 2024, was banned for four matches by the Turkish Football Federation after the 0-0 derby in Istanbul against Galatasaray, tg24.sky.it reports.The 62-year-old Portuguese received a two-match ban for racist comments when he told the opposing players on the bench that they were "jumping like monkeys," and another two for insulting the fourth referee after the match.

"I have also to thank the referee because with a Turkish referee after the big dive in the first minute, their bench jumping like monkeys on the top of the kid, with a Turkish referee you would have a yellow card after one minute and after five minutes I would have to change him," said the Portuguese coach of Fenerbahçe.

"I went to the referees’ dressing room after the game. Of course, the fourth official was there, a Turkish referee, I told him [Vincic - ed.], ‘Thank you to come here because you come for a big match and you are responsible for a big match.' And I turned myself to the fourth official and I [said], ‘This match, if you are the referee, this match would be a disaster'," José added.

After the match, Galatasaray announced its intention to file a complaint against the "Special One" [Mourinho's nickname] because of the statements recognized as inhuman and immoral. They also stated that this is not the first incident.

"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. 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."