Recently, José Mourinho's statements after the Galatasaray vs Fenerbahçe derby in Turkey sparked significant controversy. The Portuguese coach was criticized by Galatasaray for comments that, according to the Turkish club, were of a racist nature. During the press conference following the match, Mourinho stated that members of the opposing bench "were jumping like monkeys," referring to the behavior of Okan Buruk's coaching staff and the Galatasaray substitutes. This controversy has led to divided opinions in world football, but there are voices defending the coach.

Drogba's defense of Mourinho

One of the figures who has come to Mourinho's defense is Didier Drogba, who had a prominent career under his management at Chelsea. The Ivorian former footballer, who played for Galatasaray between 2013 and 2014, used his X (formerly Twitter) account to express his support for the Portuguese coach. Drogba, who retired from professional football in 2018, expressed his admiration for Mourinho and firmly denied the accusations of racism. The Ivorian highlighted his 25-year relationship with the coach and emphasized that his history, both past and recent, proves that Mourinho has never exhibited racist attitudes.

In his post, Drogba emphasized his pride in having worn the Galatasaray jersey and his love for the Turkish club. "We all know how passionate rivalries can be, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience that. Believe me when I tell you that I’ve known José for 25 years and he is not racist," he said. Drogba also urged Galatasaray fans to focus on the matches and support the team in their fight to win the league, rather than getting caught up in controversies.

Mourinho to be reported by the Turkish Football Federation

On the other hand, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced that several names, including José Mourinho, have been referred to the Disciplinary Committee following the 0-0 draw in the derby. The accusation focuses on the Portuguese coach’s "unsportsmanlike conduct," as well as the "insulting comments" he made after the match. This is an important step in the disciplinary process, which could result in both financial and sporting sanctions.

If the Disciplinary Committee finds Mourinho's statements to be punishable, the coach could face a suspension of up to six months, in addition to a possible financial fine. This process may also be influenced by the stance of UEFA and FIFA, which will examine the complaint filed by Galatasaray.