Fenerbahçe’s head coach, José Mourinho, has been suspended for three matches and fined approximately £6,000 by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following an altercation during the Turkish Cup quarter-final against Galatasaray.
The incident occurred after Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 defeat on April 2, 2025, when Mourinho grabbed the nose of Galatasaray’s coach, Okan Buruk, leading to Buruk falling to the ground.
This suspension means Mourinho will miss upcoming Super Lig matches against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor, and Kayserispor.
Fenerbahçe is currently second in the league, trailing Galatasaray by six points but with a game in hand.
Fenerbahçe defended Mourinho, alleging that Buruk exaggerated his reaction to the nose grab, comparing his fall to being “shot.”
They also accused Buruk of provoking Mourinho during the match.
This incident adds to Mourinho’s contentious history in Turkish football.
Earlier in the season, he received a one-match ban and a fine of about £15,000 for criticizing refereeing standards and questioning officials’ impartiality.
Additionally, he was handed a four-match ban and a £35,000 fine following a goalless draw against Galatasaray, where he was accused of making racist statements.
The TFF’s decision to impose only a three-match ban has sparked controversy. Critics argue that the punishment is lenient, especially since regulations typically prescribe a suspension of five to ten matches for such offences.
This has led to accusations of favouritism towards Fenerbahçe, the sole club supporting the current TFF administration.
In summary, José Mourinho’s three-match suspension and fine have intensified discussions about disciplinary measures and impartiality within Turkish football.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by the TFF in maintaining fairness and integrity in the sport.
