Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been given a three-match ban for an indiscipline charge against Okan Buruk, the Galatasaray manager after their Turkish Cup match.
The Portuguese appeared to have grabbed Buruk nose after the final whistle at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Wednesday, when both managers were interacting with match officials following Galatasaray’s 2-1 win.
Mourinho approached Buruk from behind and appeared to pinch his nose, with the former Turkey international midfielder, 51, falling to the floor with his hands covering his face.
Read also: Galatasaray accuse Mourinho of ‘physical attack’ on manager Okan Buruk
The Portuguese, a former boss of Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, was also fined 292,500 Turkish Lira (£5,955).
Jose Mourinho took charge of Fenerbahce in June 2024.
Galatasaray accused Mourinho of physically attacking Buruk. However,
Fenerbahce in defense of its mamager later accused Buruk of “acting as if he had been shot.”
Fenerbahce said Buruk had made “disrespectful hand gestures” to provoke Mourinho.
The Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) said they had taken Buruk’s actions into consideration, which resulted in Mourinho being given a reduced ban because of “provocation”.
Mourinho’s assistant Salvatore Foti was given a four-match ban for an “insult towards an opposing team player”.
Read also: Jose Mourinho denies racism allegations
Fenerbahce substitute Mert Yandas and Galatasaray substitutes Kerem Demirbay and Baris Yilmaz were shown red cards for their part in a melee between the two benches during stoppage time.
Midfielder Yandas, 30, has since been given a one-match suspension.
There was already increased tension between the two clubs after Galatasaray said in February they would “initiate criminal proceedings” against Mourinho after claiming he made “racist statements” following a goalless draw in February.
On Friday, Fenerbahce said the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had dismissed Galatasaray’s criminal complaint against Mourinho.
