Jose Mourinho has been handed a three-match suspension for pinching the nose of Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk after Fenerbahce’s Turkish Super Cup defeat.
The incident occurred post-match when Mourinho approached Buruk from behind and pinched his nose, an act that left the Galatasaray manager momentarily floored.
Footage of the confrontation quickly circulated, sparking widespread criticism and prompting disciplinary action from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
While initial reports suggested the TFF was considering a five to ten-match ban for Mourinho, the punishment was reduced to three matches after officials concluded that Buruk had provoked the Fenerbahce boss at full time.
This marks Mourinho’s second suspension of 2025, having already served a four-match ban earlier in the year for allegedly making racist remarks directed at Galatasaray’s bench in a prior fixture.
The TFF also sanctioned several players involved in the post-match chaos.
Galatasaray duo Baris Alper Yılmaz and Kerem Demirbay, along with Fenerbahce midfielder Fred, have each been suspended for three matches. Fenerbahce’s Mert Hakan received a one-match ban.
Mourinho’s upcoming absence could prove costly, with the suspended fixtures likely to include high-stakes clashes against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor.
Fenerbahce trail Galatasaray by six points in the Super Lig standings, albeit with a game in hand.
The ban adds further pressure on Mourinho’s tenure in Turkey, as Fenerbahce continue to chase their first league title since 2014.
