Galatasaray to Pursue Legal Action Against Mourinho Over Alleged Racist Remarks

Following a tense 0-0 derby draw, Galatasaray has announced it will initiate criminal proceedings against Fenerbahce's Jose Mourinho over alleged "racist statements." The club has also vowed to file complaints with UEFA and FIFA, claiming Mourinho's comments reflect a pattern of derogatory remarks toward Turkish culture.

Galatasaray has vowed to initiate legal action against Fenerbahce's manager, Jose Mourinho, alleging he made "racist statements" after the teams played to a goalless draw on Monday. While the exact comments prompting the accusations remain undisclosed, Mourinho's post-match remarks have come under scrutiny. He referred to the opposing bench "jumping like monkeys" and criticized Turkish referees, expressing that using an official from Turkey would have resulted in a match "disaster."

In light of these comments, Galatasaray's official statement condemned Mourinho's remarks as having shifted from being merely inappropriate to outright inhumane. The club announced they would be filing criminal proceedings related to Mourinho's statements and also escalating complaints to UEFA and FIFA. Furthermore, they will be closely monitoring Fenerbahce's response, especially given the club's assertion of upholding "exemplary moral values."

Mourinho, who has previously managed high-profile clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, was appointed Fenerbahce's manager in the summer of 2024. His tenure in Turkey has not been without controversy—he was banned and fined earlier this season for his public criticism of Turkish refereeing standards.

Before the match on Monday, Mourinho had welcomed the appointment of a foreign referee—Slovenian Slavko Vincic—for the derby, having previously labeled the environment in Turkish football as “toxic.” Following the match, Mourinho expressed gratitude toward the referee for his handling of the game, while insinuating that a Turkish referee would not have dealt fairly with incidents involving the young defender Yusuf Akcicek.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of the accusations against Mourinho could have significant impacts on his career in Turkey, as well as on the dynamics within Turkish football as a whole. Fenerbahce has yet to publicly respond to Galatasaray's allegations.