The Istanbul derby between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray took a heated turn on Sunday, leading to a major controversy surrounding José Mourinho.
The Portuguese coach, never one to shy away from confrontation, found himself at the center of a storm after making controversial comments about the Galatasaray bench and the match officials.
During the post-match press conference, Mourinho accused the Galatasaray staff of excessive celebrations, claiming they were “jumping like monkeys” after an early challenge. His remarks sparked immediate backlash, with Galatasaray releasing a strong statement condemning his words as racist and threatening legal action.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mourinho also criticized the referee selection for the match, stating that the game would have been a “disaster” if a Turkish referee had been in charge instead of Slovenian official Slavko Vincic.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) acted swiftly, issuing Mourinho a four-match ban for his comments. According to Sky Sports, the suspension breaks down as follows:
- Two matches for racist remarks directed at the Galatasaray bench.
- Two additional matches for offensive comments aimed at the fourth official.
This decision means Mourinho will miss crucial upcoming league games, including clashes against Antalyaspor (March 2), Samsunspor (March 16), Bodrum (March 30), and Trabzonspor (April 2).
As the controversy escalated, former Chelsea and Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba came to Mourinho’s defense. The Ivory Coast legend dismissed the allegations of racism, insisting that Mourinho is not a racist and has always treated players of all backgrounds with respect.
With Fenerbahce chasing the league title, Mourinho’s absence from the touchline will be a major setback. The 62-year-old tactician will be forced to watch from the stands as his team navigates a critical phase of the season.