Jose Mourinho defended himself as the “opposite” of a racist following the comments he made following the Istanbul derby.
Mourinho received an interior ban on four games, which was then divided by two, for remarks after the 0-0 draw from Fenerbahce with Galatasaray last month.
The former boss of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter and Manchester United said that the Galatasaray bench had “jumped like monkeys” in an apparent attempt to have the defender Yusuf Akcicek sent.
But, speaking before the draw of the Europa League of Fenerbahce with the Rangers, Mourinho expressed his opinion according to which the allegations of racism made by Galatasaray turned to them.
“They were not intelligent in the way they attacked me because they did not know my past,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“They did not know my links with Africa, with Africans and African players and African charitable organizations.
“So, instead of going against me, I think he has Boomerang and opposed them.
“They were not intelligent in the way they attacked me”
Jose Mourinho speaks for the first time about racism claims formulated against him by Galatasaray. pic.twitter.com/4xrful5wro
– Sky Sports News (@SkysportsNews) March 6, 2025
“Everyone knows who I am as a person. Everyone knows my bad qualities, but this is not one of my bad qualities. Exactly the opposite.
“The most important thing is that I know who I am, and the attack accusing racism was a bad choice.”
Mourinho benefited from the support of former players such as Didier Drogba and Michael Essien.
“Probably even by people who don’t like me, support was there,” added Mourinho.
“I thank people who had no problem talking [out]Especially my boys, my former players. It was a very important voice.
On his suspension, Mourinho clearly indicated what he considers the reason for his reduction.
“The day my ban was decided, he comes to the public that the head of the disciplinary committee famous with friends with a Galatasaray shirt,” he said. “Only here you can understand the dimension.”
🏆 #Uel Round of 16, 1st leg
🆚 Rangers FC
🗓 Tomorrow
🇹🇷 8:45 p.m. (GMT + 3)
🇪🇺 6:45 p.m. (CET)
📍 @ulKerstadyumu
📲 #Uel #FBVRFC pic.twitter.com/zg7p7jfbob– Fenerbahçe English (@fenerbahce_en) March 5, 2025
If Fenerbahce surmounts the Rangers, their route to the potential glory of the Europa League could see them face three of the old Mourinho teams.
Roma will invite in the last eight if the series to beaten athletic bilbao, while Manchester United and Tottenham could wait in the semi-finals and final.
The triumph of the Europa League is the last hope of United to save a miserable season, a set in a context of fury of fans to measures to reduce the costs carried out by the minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe.
Asked about the united problems of United, Mourinho warmly spoke of Ratcliffe.
“To be honest, I don’t know much about what’s going on,” said Mourinho of the club’s financial decisions.
“I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. I’m not saying we’re big friends but we have a good relationship.
“I know him well. He invited me to his house a few times. I see him as a good person and a big businessman.
“Of course, I feel for some of the people I know [losing their jobs]But I hope it goes in the right direction. »»
