Thursday 06th March, 2025 02:27 PM|
Fenerbahce supervisor Jose Mourinho says he’s the “opposite” of racist following the racism allegations made in opposition to him by Galatasaray.
Galatasaray mentioned they might “initiate criminal proceedings” in opposition to Mourinho after claiming he made “racist statements” following the groups’ 0-0 draw on 24 February.
“They [Galatasaray] were not clever in the way they attacked me, because they didn’t know my past,” Mourinho informed Sky Sports
“They didn’t know my connections with Africa, with African folks and African gamers and African charities.
“So instead of going against me, I think it boomeranged and went against them.”
Seeking damages
Following the Istanbul derby, Mourinho mentioned the house bench had been “jumping like monkeys” throughout the recreation, with Fenerbahce subsequently saying Mourinho’s feedback had been taken “completely taken out of context”.
Mourinho, 64, has additionally filed a lawsuit against Galatasaray searching for damages price 1,907,000 Turkish Lira (Approx. Ksh. 6M).
“Everyone knows who I am as a person. Everybody knows my bad qualities, but that is not one of my bad qualities. Exactly the opposite!” he added.
“The most important thing is I know who I am, and the attack accusing racism was a bad choice.”
Former Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and ex-Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, who each performed beneath Mourinho at Chelsea, came out in defence of the former Manchester United coach within the aftermath of Galatasaray’s allegations.
“I thank the people who didn’t have a problem to speak [out], especially my boys, my former players. They were a very important voice,” mentioned Mourinho, talking earlier than Thursday’s Europa League last-16 match in opposition to Rangers.
In addition to his feedback in regards to the Galatasary teaching workers after the Istanbul derby, Mourinho additionally repeated his criticism of Turkish referees, saying it might have been a “disaster” to make use of an official from the nation.
The match was refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic after each golf equipment requested a international official take cost of the fixture.
Mourinho was handed a four-match ban – which was later decreased to 2 matches- by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
Mourinho was penalised for making “derogatory and offensive statements towards the Turkish referee [fourth official]” and since he “accused Turkish football of chaos and disorder with insulting and offensive statements towards both the Turkish football community and all Turkish referees”.
Galatasaray are high of the Turkish Super Lig, 4 factors above Fenerbahce.