The Turkish Cup match between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray ended in controversy when Fenerbahce`s manager, Jose Mourinho, was seen grabbing the nose of Galatasaray`s head coach, Okan Buruk.
This incident occurred after Galatasaray secured a 2-1 victory, eliminating Fenerbahce from the Turkish Cup. Former Napoli striker Victor Osimhen scored both goals for Galatasaray in the intense derby held at Fenerbahce`s home stadium. In the game`s final moments, tensions flared, leading to Mourinho`s physical interaction with Buruk.
Okan Buruk reacted dramatically, falling to the ground, which appeared to exaggerate Mourinho`s gesture. Mourinho immediately went to the dressing room after the incident. Mourinho, who has a storied career managing prominent European clubs like Chelsea and Inter, joined Fenerbahce in the summer of 2024 after his departure from AS Roma in January 2024. His arrival in Turkey has been marked by outspokenness and rivalry, particularly with Galatasaray. He recently faced criticism and a lawsuit from Galatasaray for allegedly making racist remarks during a press conference in February, where he likened their bench`s behavior to `monkeys`.
The rivalry between these Istanbul giants has intensified this season with Mourinho`s arrival. The former Real Madrid manager has frequently voiced his disapproval of the Turkish league`s administration, accusing Galatasaray of corruption. Galatasaray currently leads the league by six points, and the tension was further heightened when the Turkish Football Federation appointed a foreign referee for their recent league derby, a match secured by 30,000 police officers at Galatasaray`s RAMS Park stadium.
This is not the first time Mourinho has been involved in such confrontations. In 2011, during a Spanish Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Mourinho was involved in an altercation with Tito Vilanova, then Pep Guardiola`s assistant manager. During that match, Mourinho poked Vilanova in the eye after Real Madrid`s Marcelo was sent off. The Spanish FA subsequently issued bans to both Mourinho and Vilanova, which were later controversially lifted.
The potential repercussions for Mourinho`s actions remain to be seen, with reports suggesting a possible four-game ban.
Adrian Whitmore