Galatasaray has announced plans to pursue legal action against Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho over alleged racist remarks following Monday's goalless Istanbul derby match.
The Turkish club claims they will "initiate criminal proceedings" against the Portuguese manager and file official complaints with UEFA and FIFA, though the specific statements in question were not explicitly identified.
During his post-match press conference, Mourinho made controversial comments about the home team's bench "jumping like monkeys" and criticized Turkish referees. The match was officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic after both clubs requested a foreign official.
Speaking about 19-year-old defender Yusuf Akcicek's performance, Mourinho stated: "I have to thank the referee. After the big dive in the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on the top of the kid... with a Turkish referee you would have a yellow card after one minute and after five minutes I would have to change him."
The former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham manager also revealed a post-match exchange with officials, saying: "I went to the referee's dressing room after the game, of course the fourth official was there, a Turkish referee. I told him 'thank you for coming here, you come for a big match' and I turned myself to the fourth official and I said 'if you were a referee this match would be a disaster'."
In a strongly worded statement, Galatasaray condemned Mourinho's behavior: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric."
The club added they would closely monitor Fenerbahce's response to their manager's conduct, particularly given the institution's claimed commitment to "exemplary moral values."
Mourinho, 62, who joined Fenerbahce last summer, had previously faced sanctions this season for criticizing refereeing standards in Turkey. Before Monday's match, he had welcomed the decision to employ a foreign referee, having previously described the environment in Turkish football as "toxic."
Neither Mourinho nor Fenerbahce have yet responded to these accusations. BBC Sport has reached out to Fenerbahce for comment.
