Galatasaray are demanding that Mourinho is punished for his comments made after the 0-0 draw with Fenerbahce on February 24
14:19, 12 Mar 2025
Jose Mourinho(Image: SNS Group)
Raging Galatasaray have launched a fresh attack on Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce over the Portuguese coach's alleged racist remarks during their goalless draw in the Istanbul derby last month.
The 'Special One' sparked uproar across the city when he accused the Galatasaray bench of 'jumping like monkeys' during the game on February 24. Fenerbahce have vehemently denied the claims and have sued their rivals over damages to Mourinho's character. While the Turkish FA are yet to take any action against the ex Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss, the 62-year-old was hit with a separate four-game touchline ban for suggesting that Turkish referees would have not been up to the task of refereeing the derby after Slovenian official Slavko Vincic was drafted in to officiate the game.
That ban has since been reduced to two games but ahead of Fenerbahce's Europa League last 16 second leg clash with Rangers on Thursday, Mourinho is now facing the prospect of more punishment after making more disparaging remarks about Turkish officials during an interview with Sky Sports last week. Mourinho has also received support from his former players at Chelsea Michael Essien and Didier Drogba, who insist that the comments made were not of a racial nature.
Galatasaray are not backing down in their call for sanctions against the two-time Champions League winner, with club president Dursun Ozbek slamming Fenerbache for continuing to back their manager to the hilt. He said: "Our football team continues to advance towards the 25th championship and the 5th star. We will be on the field again against these people who act in an organized manner to prevent us, who are part of a dirty alliance, and the immoral games they try to cream every day.
"As Galatasaray fans, we are talking about projects that will contribute to Turkish football. They only talk about Galatasaray with the dirty projects in their minds. They do not hesitate to tell a different lie every day in front of the cameras without blushing as if they really believe it.
Article continues below
Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek(Image: Cemal Yurttas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"They also applaud their coach (Mourinho) who systematically tries to belittle Turkish football and the Turkish people every day and who makes racist statements. May God not force anyone to defend such a situation just to win the championship. This incident actually shows how differently we look at everything.
"Galatasaray has stayed away from these opportunist approaches and morally problematic attitudes throughout its history. As we always say, the good ones will win on the field again. May is ours, it will be ours again."