Jose Mourinho has been suspended for four games following a racism dispute with Galatasaray.
The Fenerbahce manager was accused by Galatasaray of making racist remarks after Monday’s Istanbul derby, which ended in a goalless draw.
Mourinho, previously with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, claimed after the 0-0 match that Galatasaray tried to get one of his players booked early in the game.
During a press conference, he stated that “everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys.”
Galatasaray quickly responded, accusing the 62-year-old Portuguese manager of “regularly using derogatory words towards the Turkish people” since he arrived in Istanbul.
Fenerbahce countered by calling Galatasaray’s accusations “pathetic slander.”
However, the Turkish Football Federation has now announced a four-match ban for Mourinho due to his post-game conduct.
According to a statement, Mourinho’s comments at the press conference “contained expressions that could encourage violence and disorder in sport, were divisive and separatist in society, and could incite fan incidents.”
Slavko Vincic from Slovenia was specially chosen to officiate the intense derby after Mourinho alleged Turkish referees were biased towards Galatasaray.
Mourinho faced criticism for entering the referee’s dressing room after the match.
This action resulted in a second charge for making “derogatory and offensive statements towards the Turkish fourth official” at the end of the game.
The statement further alleged that he made “insulting and offensive statements towards both the Turkish football community and all Turkish referees.”
Mourinho received a two-match suspension for each charge, along with a total fine of £35,000.
He will be absent for the upcoming four league matches against Antalyaspor, Samsunspor, Bodrum, and Trabzonspor.
However, Mourinho will be on the sidelines for Fenerbahce’s Europa League round of 16 games against Rangers next month.
Mourinho took over the Turkish team in June. They are currently second in the Super Lig, trailing champions Galatasaray by six points.
Following the racism accusations, Mourinho received support from several former players, including Didier Drogba.
Drogba, a Chelsea legend who played for Galatasaray for two years from 2012 to 2014 and is highly respected by their fans, defended his former manager. Drogba stated to Galatasaray, “You know how proud I was to wear your jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!”
He added, “We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I’ve experienced it.”
“I’ve seen the recent comments about Jose Mourinho. Trust me, I’ve known Jose for many years, and he is not a racist, as history proves.”
“Let’s focus on our games, support our brilliant lions, and let’s win the league to get closer to our 5th star.”
“How can my ‘Dad’ be a racist? Come on guys.”
