Galatasaray accuse Jose Mourinho of ‘racist statements', intend to initiate criminal proceedings

New York Times

25-02-2025

Galatasaray have accused Jose Mourinho of making 'racist statements' and intend to initiate criminal proceedings against the Fenerbahce head coach.
The two Istanbul rival clubs, who occupy the top two places in the Turkish Super Lig table, played out a 0-0 draw in the league on Monday.
However after the game, in praising Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic who was drafted in by the Turkish Football Federation after a request from both clubs, Mourinho criticised the Galatasaray bench for their reaction to what he perceived as a dive in the early stages of the game.
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The 62-year-old said: 'I have to thank the referee. After the big dive in the first minute and their (Galatasaray's) bench jumping like monkeys on top of each other.
'If it was a Turkish referee, you would have a yellow card after one minute, and after five minutes, I would have to change him. Thankfully, it was a perfect experience for him.'
Hours after the game at RAMS Park concluded, Galatasaray released a statement that read: 'Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people.
'Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.
📌 Club Statement from Galatasaray SK
Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments… pic.twitter.com/NRLsk9F4kT
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) February 24, 2025
'We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to (governing bodies) UEFA and FIFA.
'Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce — an institution professing to uphold 'exemplary moral values' — in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.'
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, who is on loan from Napoli, reposted Galatasaray's statement on social media, adding the 'Say No To Racism' logo on his Instagram story.
Fenerbahce say Mourinho's comments have been taken 'completely out of context and deliberately distorted' and they are weighing up legal action of their own.
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'As any rational person can see and understand these expressions used by Jose Mourinho during the match to describe the overreaction of the opposing team's technical committee to the referee's decisions cannot be associated with racism in any way,' a statement released on Tuesday read.
'Trying to portray this discourse as a racist discourse is a completely malicious approach. We inform the public that we will use our legal rights regarding this incapable slander, that aims to take the competition off the field, change and manipulate the agenda.'
The game between the fierce rivals was halted after 52 minutes due to fans throwing flares onto the pitch. There was also a heavy police presence at the stadium in Istanbul, with an estimated 30,000 officers deployed to deter crowd trouble.
Galatasaray are top of the Super Lig, six points clear of second-placed Fenerbahce.
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