Former Real Madrid and Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, is once again making headlines for the wrong reasons. The Portuguese tactician, currently in charge of Fenerbahçe, has come under intense scrutiny following his controversial remarks after a goalless draw against arch-rivals Galatasaray.
During his post-match comments, Mourinho stated that Galatasaray players on the bench were “jumping like monkeys.” This statement has sparked outrage, with the Turkish champions threatening to report him to UEFA for what they consider a racist remark.
Galatasaray Responds with Strong Statement
In an official statement published in both English and Turkish, Galatasaray accused Mourinho of making derogatory comments since his arrival in Turkey. The club also announced plans to pursue legal action against him.
Galatasaray’s Official Statement:
*"Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. 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.*
Players Join the Protest
The controversy has gained traction, with several Galatasaray players, including Nigerian international Victor Osimhen—who is currently on loan at the club—and Rolland Sallai, sharing the hashtag #SayNoToRacism on their social media accounts.
In football, the term "monkey" has long been associated with racist abuse. High-profile cases involving Mario Balotelli in Italy and Vinicius Junior in Spain have highlighted how offensive such remarks can be.
Did Mourinho Mean It in a Racial Context?
While Galatasaray insists Mourinho’s words were racist, some argue that the context may have been different. The Galatasaray bench consisted of both black and white players, and Mourinho has a history of working closely with African footballers, including Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi, and even Victor Osimhen, whom he has openly praised in the past.
With Galatasaray pushing for UEFA intervention, all eyes are now on European football’s governing body to see how they will handle the situation. Will Mourinho face punishment, or will he escape unscathed? Time will tell.
