Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho has been handed a four-game ban and fined £35,194 following his controversial remarks after Monday’s Istanbul derby against Galatasaray, which ended in a goalless draw.
Galatasaray accused Mourinho of making racist comments, but Fenerbahçe released a statement on Tuesday defending their manager, insisting that his words were taken out of context.
The match was officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, as both clubs had requested a foreign referee. However, the fourth official was Turkish, which became a focal point of Mourinho’s post-match criticism.
Speaking at the press conference, the Portuguese coach criticized Turkish referees once again and disclosed that he had visited the referees’ dressing room after the match.
“I told the fourth official that if he had been the referee, the match would have been a disaster,” Mourinho stated.
The suspension means Mourinho will be absent from the touchline for Fenerbahçe’s upcoming matches, adding further tension to the already heated Turkish Super Lig title race.
