Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has been accused of making "racist statements" by Turkish rivals Galatasaray, who intend to "initiate criminal proceedings" over comments that he made following Monday's 0-0 draw in the Super Lig.
The heated Istanbul derby was refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic after both clubs requested for a foreign official to take charge of the top-flight battle at RAMS Park.
Mourinho had welcomed the decision to use Vincic, who officiated last season's Champions League final and was drafted in by the Turkish Football Federation following several recent controversies in Turkish football.
After the match, Mourinho praised the performance of Vincic, saying it would have been a "disaster" if the game had been refereed by a Turkish official, and he also made comments about the behaviour of the Galatasaray bench.
Speaking at a post-match conference, Mourinho said the home bench had been "jumping like monkeys" and he suggested that the referee was mentally strong to "survive in this jungle".
#SayNoToRacism ❗️ https://t.co/IiyB1AqAQD
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) February 24, 2025
Mourinho accused of racism by Galatasaray who threaten legal action
Galatasaray have since responded with a strongly-worded statement in which they accuse Mourinho of racism, and they now intend to "initiate criminal proceedings" as well as launch an official complaint to both UEFA and FIFA.
A statement from Galatasaray read: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people.
"Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.
"We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.
"Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce - an institution professing to uphold 'exemplary moral values' - in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager."
© Imago
At his post-match press conference, Mourinho continued: "I went to the referee's dressing room after the game. The fourth official was there - a Turkish referee - I told him if you are the referee it would be a disaster.
"If [Galatasaray are a] really, really good. If they want to be an example of 'we are good, we are strong, we are the champions, we want to show how good we are', they should ask for foreign referees every match.
"But when the referees are foreign, UEFA Cup - go home, against us at home - one shot on target. But if they are good and they believe really in themselves and in their power, they should ask the federation.
"We thank the referee because after the big dive in the first minute and their bench is on top of the kid, with a Turkish referee, the kid would have a yellow card after one minute and after five minutes I would have to change. Thankfully it was a perfect experience for him."
Vincic banished a total of seven yellow cards during the goalless stalemate, while he also had to temporarily suspend the match early in the second half after flares were thrown between both sets of supporters in the stands.
Mourinho's Fenerbahce remain second in the Turkish Super Lig table, six points behind leaders Galatasaray, managed by Okan Buruk, who are yet to lose any of their 24 league games this season.
Oliver Thomas
