Istanbul: Galatasaray has announced plans to take legal action against Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho, accusing him of making racist remarks following the Istanbul derby. The club also intends to submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA regarding his statements.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Mourinho criticized Turkish referees and claimed that the Galatasaray bench was “jumping like monkeys” when protesting a decision involving 19-year-old Fenerbahce defender Yusuf Akcicek. Mourinho stated that with a Turkish referee, Akcicek would have received an early yellow card, forcing an early substitution.
Monday’s derby was officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic after both clubs requested a foreign official. Mourinho later visited the referee’s dressing room, where he thanked Vincic but told the Turkish fourth official that the match would have been a “disaster” if he had been in charge.
📌 Club Statement from Galatasaray SK
Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments… pic.twitter.com/NRLsk9F4kT
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) February 24, 2025
In a strongly worded statement, Galatasaray condemned Mourinho’s remarks, stating that his conduct had escalated from “immoral comments” to “inhumane rhetoric.”
The club declared its intention to initiate criminal proceedings and closely monitor Fenerbahce’s response, given the club’s proclaimed commitment to “exemplary moral values.”
Mourinho, a two-time Champions League winner and former manager of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, was appointed Fenerbahce manager last summer.
Earlier this season, he was fined and suspended for previous remarks about Turkish referees. Before Monday’s game, he supported the decision to appoint a foreign referee, calling Turkey’s football environment “toxic.”
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