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The Portuguese manager's fight with referees in Turkey is far from his first run-in with officials
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has found himself at the centre of yet another controversy, this time in Turkey, after criticising officials following Fenerbahce’s 3-2 win over Trabzonspor.
The match, marked by a dangerous tackle on Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, prompted Mourinho to call out Turkish refereeing, accusing the officials of bias and inconsistency in their decisions.
Mourinho blasts Turkish officials over controversial calls
The Special One’s frustration with the officiating began after a reckless tackle on Osayi-Samuel went unpunished, an incident Mourinho felt warranted a red card.
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The Portuguese manager, in his characteristic style, didn’t hold back, stating that VAR official Atilla Karaoglan failed to take appropriate action.
“We were in control, winning 1-0 when Atilla Karaoglan woke up because in the first half he was having Turkish tea when there was a clear red card for Bright,” Mourinho said, adding that officials seem hesitant to make calls in Fenerbahce’s favour.
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Taking his critique further, Mourinho questioned the reputation of Turkish football, suggesting that a lack of officiating standards is turning away international fans.
“Nobody abroad wants to watch the Turkish league. Who wants to watch this? They have the Premier League, German, French, Portuguese, and Dutch leagues. Why should they see this?” he asked, sparking debate among Turkish fans and pundits about the league's officiating standards.
Fans call out Mourinho’s familiar antics
While some fans backed Mourinho’s commitment to protecting his players, others were less sympathetic.
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Many noted that Mourinho has made similar complaints at almost every club he’s managed, accusing the Portuguese boss of shifting the spotlight away from his team.
“He does this at every club he goes to — suggests there’s a conspiracy against his club and him personally,” one fan commented, while another added, “Yet again, he’s made an amazing victory all about himself.”
This familiar tactic, they argue, is intended to rally the team but often has the effect of diverting attention from the squad's achievements.
For Fenerbahce supporters, the concern is whether Mourinho’s ongoing battles with officials will overshadow the progress their team has made or cause their team to actually have a target on their backs.
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