Fernabahce Coach, Jose Mourinho has addressed for the first time, the racism allegation made against him by Galatasaray, stating that the accusation ultimately backfired.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News, the Fenerbahçe manager said he remained calm throughout the controversy, believing that those who accused him were unaware of his long-standing ties to Africa, African players, and charitable work on the continent.
“They were not clever in the way they attacked me because they didn’t know my past,” Mourinho said. “They didn’t know my connections with Africa, African people, African players, and African charities. So instead of going against me, I think it boomeranged and went against them.”
He insisted that racism was not one of his flaws. “Everyone knows who I am as a person. Everybody knows my bad qualities, but that is not one of them—exactly the opposite!” he added.
The controversy stemmed from Mourinho’s post-match remarks after Fenerbahçe’s goalless draw with Galatasaray, in which he accused the opposing bench of “jumping like monkeys” in an attempt to get 19-year-old Yusuf Akcicek sent off. The comment was perceived as offensive, leading to widespread criticism.
When asked if he regretted his choice of words, Mourinho took a moment to reflect before shaking his head. “I cannot drop to his level,” he said, referring to Galatasaray coach, Okan Buruk. “Sometimes I do, and I ask myself, ‘Why did you do it, Jose? Why did you drop to that level?’ It was just sad.”
Despite the backlash, Mourinho received public support from former Chelsea stars, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, both of whom played under him. However, their defense of the Portuguese coach angered some Galatasaray fans, who were seen burning Drogba’s jersey in protest. “I thank the people who spoke out, especially my boys, my former players. They were a very important voice,” Mourinho said.
Mourinho also pointed to social media’s role in reducing his four-match domestic ban to two matches, revealing that images surfaced of the disciplinary committee’s chief celebrating in a Galatasaray shirt. “Only here can you understand the dimension of it,” he noted.
With his suspension now served, Mourinho is set to return to the Fenerbahçe dugout in domestic competitions while continuing to lead the team in Europe.
