Galatasaray has announced its intention to "initiate criminal proceedings" against Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho, accusing him of making "racist statements" after their 0-0 draw on Monday. The club did not specify which comments it deemed offensive, but Mourinho's remarks during the post-match news conference have come under scrutiny. The manager criticized the behavior of the home bench, likening their reactions to "jumping like monkeys," and expressed deep-seated issues regarding Turkish referees, suggesting that a domestic official would lead to disastrous officiating.
The match, officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic at the request of both teams, has now led Galatasaray to consider legal action alongside lodging formal complaints with UEFA and FIFA. Mourinho, known for his prior roles at premier clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United, has yet to respond to these accusations.
After match discussions with the media, Mourinho addressed the performance of young defender Yusuf Akcicek and remarked, "I have to thank the referee. After the big dive in the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys... with a Turkish referee, you would have a yellow card after one minute." He continued, expressing gratitude to the foreign referee for his management of the match, unequivocally dismissing the potential risks of using local officiating.
In an official statement, Galatasaray condemned Mourinho’s consistent derogatory remarks, emphasizing that his recent comments have shifted from being merely unethical to profoundly inhumane. The club reiterated their commitment to observing Fenerbahce’s response to Mourinho's behavior, questioning the moral values the club claims to uphold.
The controversial coach, who joined Fenerbahce as their manager last summer, has faced disciplinary actions earlier this season for remarks about the refereeing in Turkey, labeling the atmosphere as "toxic." As the saga unfolds, BBC Sport has reached out to Fenerbahce for further comments on the situation.
