Fenerbahce respond after Galatasaray slam Jose Mourinho as ‘racist’ for ‘monkeys’ remark | OneFootball

Turkish league leaders Galatasaray said the club planned to launch criminal proceedings against Jose Mourinho for "derogatory statements" against Turkish people, with Fenerbahce hitting back at what they claim to be a “malicious approach”.

The club said it would also submit complaints to governing bodies Uefa and Fifa after the Fenerbahce boss's comments following Monday's 0-0 draw between the top two sides.

The former Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid manager made comments about the Galatasaray bench "jumping like monkeys" after an early challenge and the match being better because it was not officiated by a Turkish referee.

A statement from Galatasaray said Mourinho "has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people" since taking over at Fenerbahce in June 2024.

"Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric," the statement said.

"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."

Describing Mourinho's conduct as "reprehensible", it said rivals Fenerbahce professed "to uphold 'exemplary moral values'."

Jose Mourinho’s comments have been described as ‘unequivocally inhumane’ (Getty Images)

The statement was posted on the club website under the headline: "Say no to racism."

Fenerbahce hit back later on Tuesday, claiming Mourinho’s comments had been “distorted by being completely taken out of context”.

A statement read: “As any reasonable person can see and understand; The expressions used by José Mourinho to describe the opposing team’s technical staff’s excessive reaction to the referee’s decisions during the match cannot in any way be associated with racism.

“Attempting to portray this statement as a racist remark is an entirely malicious approach. We present to the public that we will exercise our legal rights regarding this feeble slander, which has been thrown to take the competition off the field, shift the agenda, and manipulate it.”

Earlier this season, Mourinho was handed a one-match ban and been fined almost £15,000 for his response to Fenerbahce's 3-2 Super Lig victory at Trabzonspor.

The Portuguese was charged with "unsportsmanlike behaviour towards opposing team fans" and "diminishing the value of Turkish football and... discrediting the impartiality of the referees and other match officials" during an outspoken post-match interview.

PA