Jose Mourinho’s Ban Halved, Fine Reduced After Fenerbahce Appeal

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has reduced Jose Mourinho’s four-match suspension to two matches and significantly lowered his fine following a successful appeal by Fenerbahce. The original penalties stemmed from comments made by the Portuguese manager after Monday’s 0-0 draw with Galatasaray.

Mourinho, 62, was initially banned for four games and fined 1.6 million Turkish lira (£35,000). The TFF has now reduced the fine to 558,000 Turkish lira (£12,200).

The TFF had originally cited two separate disciplinary breaches: “derogatory and offensive statements towards the Turkish referee” and accusations that Mourinho had accused “Turkish football of chaos and disorder” with “insulting and offensive statements” directed at the Turkish football community and referees.

The controversial comments were made in Mourinho’s post-match press conference. He criticized the Galatasaray bench’s reaction to an early foul, saying they were “jumping like monkeys,” and reiterated his criticism of Turkish referees, suggesting a Turkish official would have created a “disaster.” The match was refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic, after both clubs requested a foreign official, but the fourth official was Turkish.

Mourinho has already served one match of his ban, missing a Turkish Cup game against Gaziantep FK. He will also miss Sunday’s league match against Antalyaspor.

The situation is further complicated by Mourinho’s separate lawsuit against Galatasaray. On Friday, he filed a claim for 1,907,000 Turkish Lira (approximately £41,000) – a sum symbolic of Fenerbahce’s founding year – alleging an “attack on [his] personal rights” following Galatasaray’s accusations of racism. Fenerbahce have consistently maintained that Mourinho’s comments were “completely taken out of context.”

Mourinho’s Fenerbahce currently sit second in the Turkish Super Lig, six points behind leaders and city rivals Galatasaray. The reduction of his ban is a boost for Fenerbahce as they attempt to close the gap.