Galatasaray have announced that they intend to report Jose Mourinho to UEFA and FIFA for alleged ‘racist’ comments the Fenerbahce head coach made following their match this evening.
The top-of-the-table Turkish Super Lig clash ended goalless to ensure Galatasaray preserved their eight-point lead over Mourinho’s Fenerbahce at the summit.
But not for the first time in his managerial career, Mourinho’s comments have overshadowed the game itself, with the 62-year-old Portuguese taking aim at Galatasaray’s coaching staff for their behaviour at Rams Park.
During an explosive post-match press conference, the former Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss accused the opposition dugout of ‘jumping like monkeys’ after referee Slavko Vincic waved away Galatasaray’s appeals for a foul in the opening minute.
Applauding the Slovenian official on his performance in the middle, Mourinho told reporters: ‘I have to thank the referee.
‘Because with a Turkish referee, after the big dive in the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on the top of the kid… if it was a Turkish ref he would have a yellow card after one minute.
‘So thankfully it was a perfect experience for him.’
Shortly after Mourinho wrapped up his presser, Galatasaray confirmed they would be submitting ‘official complaints’ in a 92-word statement, which accused ‘The Special One of ‘racism’ towards Turkish people.
‘Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people,’ the statement read.
‘Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.
‘We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.
‘Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahçe—an institution professing to uphold “exemplary moral values”—in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.’
Galatasaray shared the message along with the slogan ‘#SayNoToRacism’ on their social media pages.
Okan Buruk, Galatasaray’s head coach, hit out at Mourinho during his press conference, even branding his opposite number ‘The Crying One’.
‘The Crying One… he is famous for crying,’ Buruk joked.
‘He went into the referee’s room and cried! Let him keep crying!’
While there were no goals in tonight’s clash, the match was not short on drama, with a total of seven yellow cards brandished in Istanbul.
The game was temporarily put on hold in the 52nd minute after flares were thrown from the away end into the home section of Galatasaray’s 53,000-seater stadium.
Turkish media report that 30,000 police officers were on duty for the match between the two bitter rivals.