Mourinho hit with 4-match ban, over €40,000 fine after ‘monkeys’ comments

Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho has been suspended for four matches and fined more than €40,000 by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following remarks he made after a heated Istanbul derby against Galatasaray.

The match on Monday ended in a goalless draw, after which the 62-year-old manager said the opposing bench had been “jumping like monkeys.” He also reportedly reiterated his criticism of Turkish referees.

In response to the fallout, Fenerbahce issued a statement asserting that Mourinho’s words had been misrepresented.

On Thursday, the TFF’s disciplinary council imposed a two-match ban for Mourinho’s remarks toward the fourth official, with an additional two-match suspension for his comments directed at the Galatasaray bench. The federation deemed the statements “contrary to sporting ethics.”

Mourinho, whose team sits six points behind league leaders Galatasaray, was also ordered to pay a fine of just over €42,000.