Jose Mourinho sues Galatasaray for racism allegations

Fenerbahce confirmed on Friday that Jose Mourinho has sued Galatasaray after the club accused the Portuguese of making “racist statements” in the Istanbul derby between the two sides on Monday.

The Portuguese head coach has hit Galatasaray with a lawsuit after being accused of making “racist statements”. Mourinho reportedly said the Gala bench had been “jumping like monkeys” after Fenerbahce’s goalless draw in the Istanbul derby on Monday night.

“We would like to announce to the public that a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages of 1 million 907 thousand Turkish Liras has been filed against Galatasaray Sports Club by Jose Mourinho through Fenerbahce Sports Club lawyers due to the attack on the personal rights of our Technical Director Jose Mourinho,” reads a statement from Fenerbahce.

The former Chelsea, Man United and Spurs manager had also declared that the match was better as it was refereed by a foreign referee, Slovenian Slavko Vincic, instead of an official from Turkey. Mourinho has been known to criticise Turkish referees and reportedly went to the Slovenian official’s dressing room to congratulate him for his conduct after the full-time whistle.

Although Mourinho was referred to the Disciplinary Committee by Galatasaray for his “unsportsmanlike conduct” and his “insulting comments” in the press conference after the derby, Fenerbahce claim that the 55-year-old’s comments were “taken completely out of context and deliberately distorted”. They added that they should “in no way be associated with racism”.

If found guilty, he could face a fine and a maximum suspension of 6 months. Galatasaray had also announced that they would launch criminal proceedings over Mourinho’s comments. As of right now, Mourinho has been handed a four-match touchline ban as well as a £35,000 fine by the Turkish league officials due to his “derogatory and offensive statements towards the Turkish referee”.