Mourinho banned four games for referee remarks

Fenerbahçe's head coach, José Mourinho, has been handed a four-match suspension and fined 1.6 million Turkish lira (approximately $44,000) by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following his critical remarks about refereeing after a 0-0 draw against Galatasaray. The TFF stated that Mourinho's comments were "derogatory and offensive," accusing him of inciting chaos and disorder within Turkish football. 

The controversy stems from Mourinho's post-match press conference, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating, despite the match being overseen by Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić—a decision made upon mutual agreement by both clubs to appoint a foreign referee. Mourinho's critique was perceived as a violation of sports ethics, promoting violence and disorder, and potentially inciting fan incidents. 

In response to the sanctions, Fenerbahçe has appealed, arguing that Mourinho's statements were taken out of context. The club maintains that his comments did not warrant such severe disciplinary measures. 

This incident adds to Mourinho's history of disciplinary actions related to his outspoken nature. Notably, in November 2024, he received a one-match suspension for criticizing the Süper Lig and its referees, describing the league as "too grey, it's too dark, smells bad," and alleging bias among officials. 

The imposed suspension means Mourinho will miss Fenerbahçe's upcoming domestic fixtures. However, he remains eligible to manage the team during European competitions, including the forthcoming Europa League match against Rangers. 

The situation has sparked a broader debate about the standards of officiating in Turkish football and the boundaries of permissible criticism by club officials. As the appeal process unfolds, the football community awaits further developments regarding Mourinho's immediate future on the touchline.