Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has dismissed accusations of racism against Jose Mourinho, calling the claims a “joke” and attributing them to football politics in Turkey.
The controversy erupted following Fenerbahce’s goalless draw against Galatasaray, during which Mourinho made comments that sparked outrage.
In his post-match press conference, the Portuguese coach remarked that members of the Galatasaray bench were “jumping like monkeys”, while also criticizing Turkish refereeing.
Galatasaray swiftly condemned the remarks, accusing Mourinho of racism and announcing plans to take legal action against him.
The club also stated its intention to file a formal complaint with football’s governing bodies, escalating the situation further.
Mikel and Drogba come to Mourinho’s defense
Mikel, who played under Mourinho at Chelsea, rejected the allegations, insisting that the coach had no racist intent.
Speaking on his podcast, the former Nigerian international said:
For me, it’s just football politics in Turkey. I know Mourinho well, and he is not a racist. This is being taken out of context.
Mikel’s former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba also defended Mourinho, posting on social media that the accusations were unfounded.
The Ivorian legend urged people to focus on football rather than fueling unnecessary controversy.
Fenerbahce stands by Mourinho
In response to the escalating situation, Fenerbahce issued a statement backing their coach, asserting that his remarks had been misinterpreted and distorted.
The club expressed full support for Mourinho and vowed to take legal action to protect him from what they described as false accusations.
A divisive debate in Turkish football
The incident has further heightened tensions between Turkey’s two biggest clubs, with the accusations against Mourinho adding to an already heated rivalry.
While Galatasaray maintains that Mourinho’s words were offensive, his defenders argue that his remarks were taken out of context and do not reflect racism.
As legal proceedings loom, the footballing world will closely watch how the case unfolds and whether any disciplinary action will be taken against the Fenerbahce manager.
