Fenerbahce have issued a strong rebuttal to Galatasaray’s accusations of racism against manager Jose Mourinho, claiming his comments were “deliberately” taken out of context. The response follows Galatasaray’s announcement that they intend to pursue criminal proceedings and file complaints with UEFA and FIFA regarding Mourinho’s post-match remarks after Monday’s 0-0 draw in the Istanbul derby.
Galatasaray’s initial statement alleged that Mourinho had made “racist statements” and that his “discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.” They specifically referenced Mourinho’s comments about the Galatasaray bench “jumping like monkeys” following an early challenge, and his criticism of Turkish referees.
Fenerbahce’s counter-statement vehemently denied any racist intent in Mourinho’s words. “A statement made by our Technical Director Jose Mourinho after the match was completely taken out of context and an attempt was made to deliberately distort it,” the club said. “As every sensible person can see and understand; these statements used by Jose Mourinho to describe the excessive reaction of the opposing team’s technical staff to the referee decisions during the match can in no way be associated with racism.”
Official Statement
We deem it necessary to issue this statement concerning a matter that has dominated the agenda following the match between our Football Team and Galatasaray.
A post-match remark made by our Coach, Jose Mourinho, has been deliberately taken entirely out of… pic.twitter.com/b7CKT6SN2i
— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) February 25, 2025
Fenerbahce further accused Galatasaray of a “completely malicious approach,” suggesting the accusations were an attempt to “take the competition off the field, change the agenda and manipulate it.” The club confirmed they will “use [their] legal rights regarding this pathetic slander.”
The match itself was officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, following a request from both clubs for a foreign official. Mourinho had previously expressed concerns about the “toxic” environment in Turkish football and welcomed the appointment of a non-Turkish referee.
This incident is not Mourinho’s first brush with controversy in Turkish football. He was recently handed a one-match ban and fined nearly £15,000 for “unsportsmanlike behaviour towards opposing team fans” and “diminishing the value of Turkish football” following a match against Trabzonspor. The escalating war of words between the two Istanbul giants adds further intensity to an already fierce rivalry.
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