José Mourinho hit with four-match ban for criticizing Turkish referees

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho was handed a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) on Thursday following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray.

The TFF fined the 62-year-old Portuguese $44,000 after he criticized the match officials in a press conference following the 0-0 Super Lig draw on Monday.

José Mourinho ban for comments on referees

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been handed a four-match suspension and fined £35,000.

This follows the fall-out from Monday's goalless draw against rivals Galatasaray, who accused the Portuguese coach of making racist statements. pic.twitter.com/hU8JVLjKTw

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 27, 2025

The penalties were due to "derogatory and offensive statements towards the Turkish referee" and accusations of chaos and disorder in Turkish football, the TFF said.

The TFF said Mourinho's remarks violated sports ethics, promoted violence and disorder and could incite fan incidents.

Monday's game was refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic after both clubs requested a foreign official take charge.

Fenerbahce issued a statement on Tuesday defending Mourinho, saying his comments were taken out of context and deliberately distorted.

Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mourinho has previously been fined and suspended for his comments about Turkish match officials.

(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk, editing by Ed Osmond)