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The Special One received a hefty fine and a suspension for his outburst against the Turkish league and Galatasaray
Fenerbahçe head coach Jose Mourinho has been handed a one-match suspension and a substantial fine by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following his outspoken criticism of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after his team’s heated 3-2 win over Trabzonspor.
Mourinho’s rant sparks controversy
The incident that sparked Mourinho’s lengthy rant came late in the match when Trabzonspor were awarded two second-half penalties after VAR intervention.
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With the score tied at 2-2, a challenge on Fenerbahçe’s Bright Osayi-Samuel went unreviewed, prompting Mourinho’s fury.
Following the match, Mourinho suggested that VAR official Atilla Karaoglan’s decisions were biased, implying corruption within the league and favouritism for current champions Galatasaray.
In his post-match comments, Mourinho stated, “This league smells bad, and people around the world have no reason to watch it.” His remarks created waves across Turkish football, with fans and officials alike debating his claims about league officiating and the quality of the VAR system.
Mourinho set for TFF punishment
The TFF responded swiftly to Mourinho’s remarks, condemning them as unsportsmanlike and detrimental to Turkish football’s reputation.
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In their official statement, the governing body argued that Mourinho’s comments were meant to “discredit the impartiality of referees and undermine the integrity of the league.”
Consequently, he was fined a total of 600,000 Turkish lira (around $18,000 or ₦30 million) and will miss one game due to his suspension.
Additionally, Fenerbahçe Vice President Acun Ilicali was fined for his own public criticism of the referees. The TFF hopes these measures will send a clear message to players, coaches, and club officials about maintaining sportsmanship and respecting the league’s officiating system and other teams in the country.
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