Galatasaray, the Turkish league leaders, have announced their intention to pursue criminal proceedings against Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho following accusations of racist comments made after a recent league game. Mourinho, a seasoned 62-year-old Portuguese coach with a prestigious coaching career at clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, has come under fire for his remarks.
After a 0-0 draw between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, Galatasaray issued a statement condemning Mourinho's behavior. The club alleges that Mourinho has consistently made derogatory statements towards the Turkish people, with his latest comments being deemed as racist. As a result, Galatasaray plans to file complaints with both UEFA and FIFA in addition to initiating criminal proceedings against Mourinho.
Mourinho's controversial remarks came in the aftermath of the match, where he praised the foreign referee appointed for the game while expressing skepticism about Turkish referees. He reportedly made comments about a potential disaster if a Turkish referee had officiated the match and referred to the opposing team's bench as behaving like monkeys.
This is not the first time Mourinho has faced disciplinary action in Turkey. Earlier in the season, he was fined and suspended for criticizing local match officials and the league, claiming bias against his team. Despite these incidents, Mourinho has guided Fenerbahce to the Europa League round-of-16, where they are set to face Rangers next month.
Galatasaray's decision to take legal action against Mourinho underscores the seriousness of the situation and the club's commitment to combating racism in football. The ongoing controversy surrounding Mourinho's conduct highlights the need for greater accountability and respect within the sport.
For more soccer news, visit AP soccer.
