Fenerbahce release statement over Jose Mourinho nose grabbing incident

Fenerbahce have issued a statement over the incident that occurred between their manager Jose Mourinho and Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk.

Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Mourinho appeared to grab Buruk by the nose at the end of a match between the two sides, leaving him at risk of a lengthy suspension.

Mourinho has been warned by Gala’s vice president Metin Ozturk that an internal ban might be on the way. However, in their own message, Fener have taken clear aim at Buruk.

“This was a planned provocation [by Buruk] and as part of this plan the individual acted as if he had been ‘shot’ and fell to the ground in a professional manner, and his disrespectful words and actions are documented on video,” Mourinho’s club said, per BBC Sport.

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk falls to the ground after get his nose pinched by Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho during the match between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in Ülker Stadium on April 2, 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Photo by Murat Akbas/ dia images via Getty Images)

Earlier, Gala’s Ozturk pulled no punches in his claims about Mourinho. “Our manager Okan and Mourinho congratulated the referees. After that, while Okan was continuing, Mourinho first verbally and then physically attacked him,” he said.

“Where else in the world can he do this? What does he think of Turkey? I believe that Fenerbahce’s management will impose the necessary sanction before the federation does.”

It wasn’t the first time this season there has been bad blood between Mourinho and Galatasaray. The Portuguese was accused by the rival club of making “racist statements”, and was handed a four-match ban and a fine following comments made after a draw back in February.

Mourinho’s ban was later reduced to two matches and he proceeded to launch a lawsuit against Galatasaray. “The most important thing is I know who I am, and the attack accusing racism was a bad choice. I just felt: how could they go so low?” he told Sky Sports News

The latest clash came after a bad-tempered Turkish Cup match in which four players were sent off. Baris Yilmaz, Kerem Demirbay and Mert Yandas all saw red for their part in a melee, while Fenerbahce’s former Manchester United midfielder Fred was later sent off in relation to a separate incident.