Galatasaray have accused Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho of making “racist statements” against Turkish people and say they intend to launch criminal proceedings against him.
The Turkish league leaders said they would also submit complaints to governing bodies UEFA and FIFA over the “derogatory” remarks, which they said were made after Monday’s 0-0 draw between the top two sides.
After the match, the former Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid manager made comments about the behaviour of the Galatasaray bench, saying they were “jumping like monkeys” following an early challenge.
He also welcomed the decision to bring in Slovenian official Slavko Vincic to officiate the game and said it would have been a “disaster” if the match had been refereed by a Turkish official.
The referee, who officiated last season’s Champions League final, was drafted in by the Turkish Football Federation. He was picked following several recent controversies in Turkish Football.
‘Unequivocally inhumane rhetoric’
A statement from Galatasaray read: “Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.
“We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.
“Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce – an institution professing to uphold ‘exemplary moral values’ – in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.”
The statement was posted on the club website under the headline: “Say no to racism.”
Read more from Sky News:
Phone-snatchers targeted in new police crackdown
Missing British businessman found dead in Kenya
Follow our channel and never miss an update.
Earlier this season, Mourinho was handed a one-match ban and fined almost £15,000 for his response to Fenerbahce’s 3-2 Super Lig victory at Trabzonspor.
He was charged with “unsportsmanlike behaviour towards opposing team fans” and “diminishing the value of Turkish football and… discrediting the impartiality of the referees and other match officials” during an outspoken post-match interview.
Sky Sports News has contacted Fenerbahce for comment.
