A crucial derby match that could determine the champion of the Turkish Süper Lig was played between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
The match, which saw few attacking opportunities, ended in a 0-0 draw.
Before the game, there was tension regarding the appointment of a foreign referee. This tension continued after the match as both sides remained at odds.
During the derby, Galatasaray’s head coach Okan Buruk protested against the referee’s decisions. Fenerbahçe’s head coach Jose Mourinho described Buruk’s actions as “jumping like monkeys”.
Galatasaray considered this statement racist and launched a campaign for the experienced coach to be sanctioned for racism.
However, Didier Drogba, the legendary Ivorian footballer, who once played for Galatasaray and worked under Mourinho in two different periods, defended his former coach.
In a tweet, Drogba stated:
“You know how proud I was to wear the yellow and red jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!!”
“We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience it.”
“I’ve seen the recent comments about Jose Mourinho. Trust me when I tell you I have known Jose for 25 years and he is not a racist and history [past and recent] is there to prove it.”
“How can my ‘Dad‘ be a racist? Come on, guys.”
According to reports, Jose Mourinho is considering legal options to defend himself.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray board member Can Natan claimed that Mourinho has systematically made negative comments about the Turkish Süper Lig, Turkish referees, and the Turkish nation.
While Galatasaray views Mourinho’s words as racist, Fenerbahçe argues that Galatasaray has taken his remarks out of context.