Galatasaray’s decision to pursue criminal charges against José Mourinho has sent ripples through the Turkish football community. The club alleges that the Fenerbahçe manager’s post-match comments, including referring to the Galatasaray bench as “jumping like monkeys,” constitute racist and insulting behavior toward the Turkish people.

Mourinho, who took over at Fenerbahçe last summer, has not publicly apologized. During a recent press conference, he lauded Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic for maintaining control in a heated derby. He then claimed the match would’ve been “a disaster” had a Turkish official been in charge. “With a Turkish referee you would have a yellow card after one minute,” Mourinho said. He also mentioned the Galatasaray staff, noting they were “jumping like monkeys” after a contentious challenge.

Galatasaray didn’t hold back. “Since he started working in Turkey, Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed toward the Turkish people,” the club said. “We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by José Mourinho.” They plan to file official complaints with both and , citing the coach’s remarks as harmful and inhumane.

Tension and response

Fenerbahçe has countered with a statement suggesting Mourinho’s words were distorted. Acun Ilicali, the club’s vice president, defended the manager by saying, “You can clearly understand that had no intention to be racist, in the words or behind the words or around the words.” Some supporters echo that sentiment, claiming the outcry is overblown. Others argue that the language was offensive regardless of intent.

This isn’t the first time Mourinho has clashed with Turkish authorities. Earlier in the season, he served a one-match ban and was fined about $18,500 for criticizing officiating standards and claiming bias against his side. That tension has deepened with each passing incident, often overshadowing the action on the pitch.

Galatasaray, currently leading the league, insists it must stand firm. They say the club will monitor Fenerbahçe’s reaction, especially since Fenerbahçe has described itself as a team with strong moral values. Fans across social media remain divided, with some calling for a lengthy suspension and others defending Mourinho’s choice of words as a non-racial metaphor.

While Mourinho prepares his squad for upcoming fixtures, the allegations loom large. Each new statement or counterstatement fuels an already intense rivalry. Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk hinted that Mourinho’s complaints to referees have become a distracting sideshow. At the same time, some pundits argue that the entire dispute is a product of the heated atmosphere that often surrounds big matches in Turkey.

No clear resolution has emerged. Galatasaray is set on taking its legal claims to the sport’s highest governing bodies, and Fenerbahçe shows no sign of backing down. For now, Turkish football grapples with deeper questions about respect, cultural sensitivity, and the responsibility of high-profile figures in the game.