Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has filed a lawsuit against Turkish rivals Galatasaray after being accused of making racist comments during their goalless draw on Monday.
Mourinho faced backlash for stating that Galatasaray’s bench was “jumping like monkeys” and suggesting the match should have been officiated by a foreign referee instead of a Turkish official.
His remarks led to a four-game ban and a £35,000 fine from the Turkish Football Federation.
In response, Fenerbahce defended their coach, claiming his words were “taken out of context and deliberately distorted.”
The club confirmed that Mourinho is suing Galatasaray for moral damages of 1,907,000 Turkish Liras (£41,467), a symbolic figure representing Fenerbahce’s founding year.
Despite the controversy, Mourinho has received support from his former players.
Didier Drogba, who played under him at Chelsea and later for Galatasaray, dismissed the racism allegations.
“Trust me when I tell you I have known Jose for 25 years and he is not a racist,” Drogba wrote on X. “Let’s focus on our games and support our brilliant lions.”
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien also defended Mourinho, posting a picture of them together with Drogba alongside heart emojis.
Mourinho was on the touchline for Fenerbahce’s 4-1 Turkish Cup win over Gaziantep but will begin his suspension against Antalyaspor on Sunday.
He is set to return for the league clash against Sivasspor on April 13.
