Mourinho Faces Backlash After Istanbul Derby Altercation

Jose Mourinho is embroiled in controversy after allegedly pinching the nose of Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk following Fenerbahce's 2-1 loss in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals. The incident, which occurred after a tense match that saw three players sent off, has led to significant backlash from Galatasaray officials, including vice-president Metin Ozturk, who condemned Mourinho's actions as a physical attack on Turkish football. Mourinho faces potential disciplinary actions ranging from a 1-3 match ban for unsportsmanlike conduct to a 5-10 match ban if deemed assault. Buruk, while downplaying the incident, criticized Mourinho's lack of class in his actions. This altercation adds to the pre-existing tensions between the clubs, exacerbated by previous accusations against Mourinho of making racist remarks during a league match in February. Galatasaray capitalized on the situation by mocking Fenerbahce on social media.