José Mourinho, trainer of Fenerbahçe, broke the silence after his suspension of three games to have “Pinched your nose”
Okan Buruk, his Galatasaray counterpart, during a heated derby in the Turkey Cup (1-2). “An image is worth a thousand words. Hollywood must have seen what happened ”he quipped, refusing to apologize and leaving doubt about the initial provocation.
The Turkish Federation acknowledged that Buruk had “Provoked” Mourinho, reducing its initial suspension (5 to 10 matches envisaged) to three games, with a fine of 292,500 Turkish pounds (≈6,000 €). Galatasaray reacted strongly, denouncing “Damage inflicted on Turkish football for eight months” by the Portuguese, which they already accused in February of “Racist statements” After a draw.
Despite criticism, the Stambouliote club assumes its choice. Fethi Pekin, member of the board of directors, hammered: “We have not hired Mourinho to respect the status quo, but to shake it up. He embodies ambition and a winning culture, even if it bothers ”. A firm position, while the Fenerbahçe, second in Super Lig, has a late match on Galatasaray (6 points).
Mourinho in Türkiye: why everyone wants their skin
This is not the first altercation of Mourinho in Türkiye. In February, he had received four suspension matches for treating the opposing bench of “Monkeys” After a controversial arbitration decision. An accumulation of incidents that feeds the rivalry between the two clubs, Galatasaray having even filed a criminal complaint (classified since).
Mourinho will miss the matches against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor, but his future in Istanbul seems preserved. “It is not here to train 90 minutes, but to raise the level”recalls Pekin. It remains to be seen whether this “Winning culture” Includes more controversial gestures … or a saving title.
