Galatasaray accuse Mourinho of racism after derby draw against Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho [Pool via REUTERS/Clive Rose]

In the aftermath of a tense Istanbul derby that ended in a scoreless draw last night, Galatasaray have announced plans to file a criminal complaint against Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho, alleging he made "racist statements" during his post-match comments.

The specific remarks in question have not yet been disclosed by the Turkish giants.

The match, which saw Fenerbahce and Galatasaray clash in a fierce rivalry, was marred by accusations of racism that overshadowed the on-field action. During the post-match press conference, Mourinho made controversial remarks, stating that the home team's bench had been "jumping like monkeys".

He also criticized the Turkish officiating, asserting that it would have been a "disaster" to have a local referee manage the game. Instead, the match was overseen by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, following a request from both clubs for a foreign official.

In addition to their legal actions, Galatasaray expressed intentions to lodge formal complaints with football's governing bodies, including UEFA and FIFA. They issued a statement condemning Mourinho's comments, claiming that his language has escalated from derogatory to "unequivocally inhumane" since he took charge in Turkey.

"Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people," Galatasaray stated. "We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho."

Fenerbahce has since defended Mourinho, stating that his comments have been "completely taken out of context." The club stressed that his remarks were meant to describe the exaggerated reactions from Galatasaray's technical staff towards the referee's decisions and should not be viewed through a racial lens. They labeled the accusations as "malicious" and pledged to exercise their legal rights in response to what they termed "pathetic slander."

Mourinho, a seasoned manager with a history of success, including two Champions League titles, has faced scrutiny for his outspoken nature since taking the helm at Fenerbahce last summer. Earlier this season, he was fined and banned for his criticisms of Turkish refereeing standards. Ahead of the derby, he had welcomed the decision to appoint a foreign referee, citing the need for credibility in the match environment.