Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has broken his silence on the racial allegations leveled against him by Galatasaray, insisting that his comments were misinterpreted and that the accusations have backfired on his accusers.
The controversy arose after Mourinho remarked that the Galatasaray bench was “jumping like monkeys“ while appealing for referee decisions during a heated encounter between the two clubs.
The statement sparked outrage, leading to Galatasaray filing a racial petition against the Portuguese coach.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Mourinho dismissed the allegations, emphasizing his long-standing relationships with African players and charities.
“They were not clever in the way they attacked me because they didn’t know my past. They didn’t know my connections with Africa, with African people, African players, and African charities.”
Mourinho pointed out that the allegations ultimately worked against Galatasaray, as several of his former players—including Didier Drogba and Michael Essien—came to his defense.
“Instead of going against me, I think it boomeranged and went against them. Everyone knows who I am as a person. Everybody knows my bad qualities, but racism is not one of them. Exactly the opposite! The most important thing is, I know who I am.”
Response to Galatasaray Manager Okan Buruk
Mourinho also took a dig at Galatasaray’s manager, Okan Buruk, criticizing his touchline antics and suggesting that the Turkish club’s actions were an attempt to provoke him.
“I just felt, how could they go so low? I cannot drop to his level. Sometimes I do, and I ask myself, ‘Why did you do it, Jose? Why did you drop to that level?’ It was just sad.”
Mourinho concluded the interview by expressing gratitude to those who defended him, particularly his former players who vouched for his character.
“I thank the people who didn’t have a problem speaking out, especially my boys, my former players. They were a very important voice.”
Initially, Mourinho was handed a four-game touchline ban and a £35,000 fine, but following an appeal, the punishment was reduced to a two-match ban and a £12,200 fine.
The incident has further fueled the already intense rivalry between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, with tensions continuing to rise in Turkish football.
“That is not one of my bad qualities”
Jose Mourinho thanks his former African footballers who stood against Galatasary’s claims accusing him of being racist.pic.twitter.com/bgdFDJ1TDB
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) March 6, 2025