Galatasaray has announced its intention to take legal action following alleged racist comments made by Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho towards Turkish people. The two Super Lig title contenders faced off on Monday, ending in a tense 0-0 draw, amidst growing concerns over the officiating of Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, who was appointed by the Turkish Football Federation.
Mourinho welcomed Vincic’s appointment, praising his officiating skills and highlighting his experience, particularly from last season’s Champions League final. However, after the match, Mourinho’s remarks about the behavior of the Galatasaray bench sparked controversy.
In response, Galatasaray issued a strong statement condemning Mourinho’s comments, stating that since his arrival in Turkey, he has made derogatory statements against the Turkish people. They claimed his recent remarks crossed the line into “unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.”
The club declared their plan to initiate criminal proceedings regarding Mourinho’s “racist statements” and emphasized their commitment to reporting this matter to both UEFA and FIFA. They also expressed their concern regarding Fenerbahce’s values in light of Mourinho’s behavior.
Mourinho defended his comments in the post-match press conference, indicating that he had approached the referee’s dressing room after the game. He remarked that if a Turkish referee had officiated, it would have been a disaster, suggesting that Galatasaray should seek foreign referees to demonstrate their strength and capabilities as champions.
Despite the heated exchange, Vincic managed to maintain control during the match, issuing seven yellow cards and pausing the game due to flares thrown by the crowd. The tensions surrounding the match and Mourinho’s comments continue to unfold, placing Galatasaray in a firm position to challenge any perceived injustices.
