Fenerbahce to SUE Galatasaray over Jose Mourinho statement as Rangers Europa League rivals fire back in race row
Fenerbahce are SUING bitter rivals Galatasaray over Jose Mourinho's ban.
Rangers' next Europa League opponents have become embroiled in a war of words with their Istanbul neighbours after being slapped with a four-game ban after being accused of making racist comments after Monday's goalless derby draw. The Portuguese coach was also fined over £35,000 for saying the Gala bench were "jumping like monkeys." He is also in hot water for telling the fourth official that had he been refereeing the game, it would have been a "disaster." The Turkish Football Federation drafted in Slovenian whistler Slavko Vincic to take charge and Mourinho praised him while calling out the Galatasaray bench.
He said: "I must also thank the referee. He had enough honesty to manage this match well. They tried to get a yellow card for our 18-year-old player from the first minute, but the referee managed the game well. Everyone on the opponent's bench was jumping like monkeys. If it were a Turkish referee, they would have immediately given the card, and I would have had to take the player off in a minute."
Galatasaray then hit back with a statement, posted on X with the #saynotoracism hashtag: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people,' it read. "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. #SayNoToRacism."
However, it's now Fenerbahce's turn to lawyer up as the saga takes another twist. Fener are now intent on suing Galatasaray for damages after their statement. Their's read: "We would like to announce to the public that a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages of 1 million 907 thousand Turkish Liras has been filed against Galatasaray Sports Club by Jose Mourinho through Fenerbahçe Sports Club lawyers due to the attack on the personal rights of our Technical Director Jose Mourinho."
