Mourinho banned for three games after nose grab incident in Istanbul derby
Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho received a three-match suspension and a fine for "unsportsmanlike conduct" during a heated Turkish Cup quarter-final against Galatasaray this week. The two Super League sides have been on bad terms since Wednesday's Istanbul derby, when Mourinho appeared to poke the Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in the nose.
- Sports
- Reuters
- Published Date: 09:28 | 05 April 2025
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for three matches and handed a fine of around 6,000 pounds ($7,734.00) after grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in the Istanbul derby, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Saturday.
The incident occurred at the end of the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, which Mourinho's side lost 2-1 at home.
A mass scuffle had broken out between both sets of players, with the referee sending three players off, two from Galatasaray, and after the final whistle the 62-year-old Portuguese appeared to pinch Buruk's nose who then fell dramatically to the ground.
"Mourinho shall be banned from entering the dressing room and the bench for three official matches," TFF said in a statement.
Mourinho will miss the games against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor.
Fenerbahce are second in the Super Lig, trailing leaders Galatasaray by six points with a game in hand.