Turkish Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray have announced plans to “initiate criminal proceedings” and report Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho to FIFA and UEFA over what they describe as “racist statements.”
The controversy erupted following a heated 0-0 draw between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on Monday night.
Mourinho had praised Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić, highlighting his non-Turkish background as a positive factor in the match’s officiating.
During his post-match press conference, Mourinho commended the referee’s performance:
He said:
“The performance of the referee was a top performance”
“Anyone, not just from this country but also abroad, watched a big football match. I think the man responsible for that was the referee.”
Mourinho revealed he had visited the referee’s dressing room to express his gratitude, contrasting Vinčić’s officiating with what he suggested would have been a “disaster” under a Turkish referee.
Read Also: Galatasaray Captain Muslera Criticizes Mourinho’s Comments On Turkish Football, Suggests ‘He Leave if Unhappy’
The controversy deepened when Mourinho referenced an early-game incident involving his 19-year-old defender, Yusuf Akcicek.
He stated:
“Again, I have to thank the referee because with a Turkish referee, after the big dive and the first minute, and their bench jumping like monkeys on top of the kids…
A Turkish referee would have [given Akcicek] a yellow card after one minute, and after five minutes, I would have to change him.”
Galatasaray swiftly condemned Mourinho’s comments, issuing a statement that accused him of crossing a line into “inhumane rhetoric.”
“Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people,” the club stated.
“Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.”
The club vowed to take legal action and submit official complaints to both UEFA and FIFA. Galatasaray also called on Fenerbahçe to address Mourinho’s conduct, challenging the club to uphold its professed “exemplary moral values.”
This is not Mourinho’s first clash with Turkish football authorities. Earlier this season, he criticized the “toxic” environment surrounding referees in the Süper Lig.
In November, he received a one-game ban and a fine following remarks in which he suggested that officials were biased against his team.
Despite the controversies, Mourinho has guided Fenerbahçe to the Europa League round of 16, where they will face Rangers next month.
The unfolding situation places additional pressure on Fenerbahçe to navigate the delicate balance between supporting their high-profile manager and maintaining their reputation on the European stage.
