Galatasaray captain Fernando Muslera has fired back at Jose Mourinho for his recent criticisms of Turkish football, suggesting the Fenerbahce manager should leave if he’s unhappy with the league.
Mourinho, who took over at Fenerbahce in June, recently complained about officiating in Turkish football, saying his team was up against a “biased system” after a 3-2 win over Trabzonspor.
“Today, the man of the match was [VAR referee] Atilla Karaoglan,” Mourinho said, criticizing the officials despite his team’s victory.
“We don’t want him again… It smells bad.” He added that his side was “playing against a system,” calling it the most challenging aspect of the competition.
Muslera, a seasoned Galatasaray player with over 500 appearances since joining in 2011, voiced his disappointment with Mourinho’s comments.
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The 38-year-old Uruguayan defender of Turkish football responded directly.
“The insults towards Turkish football and his attack on referees bother me,” Muslera told Turkiye Today.
“If Mourinho, who arrived just four months ago, criticizes Turkish football and doesn’t like it, he can leave.
We need to focus on those who work to move Turkish football forward.”
Muslera’s defense comes from his years of dedication to Galatasaray, where he’s won 17 trophies in 14 years.
He emphasized his commitment to Turkish football, adding,
“This is the first time in 14 years I’ve felt the need to make such a statement.”
In response to Mourinho’s remarks, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) imposed a fine of 900,000 TL (approximately £20,178) and a one-match suspension, stating that his comments damaged the image of Turkish football and cast doubt on the integrity of referees and officials.
Due to the suspension, Mourinho missed Fenerbahce’s 4-0 win over Sivasspor on Sunday, with his team currently five points behind Galatasaray in the league standings.
Mourinho also stirred the pot by hinting at his future plans, stating that he might consider moving to an English club “at the bottom” of the table in a couple of years, remarking, “A club that doesn’t play in UEFA competition…
I’m ready to go.” This statement, paired with his comments about Turkish football, has raised concerns among Fenerbahce fans regarding his long-term commitment to the club.
Muslera’s defense of Turkish football shows his dedication of long-time players, as the league aims to improve its reputation on the international stage despite Mourinho’s criticisms.
