Mourinho Banned for 3 Matches, Fined £6000 for pinching the Nose of Fellow Coach
Jose Mourinho has been handed a three-match ban and a fine of around £6,000 ($7,734.00) by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for his role in a heated incident during the Istanbul derby against Galatasaray on Wednesday.
The 62-year-old Portuguese coach was found guilty of grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk at the end of the Turkish Cup quarter-finals match, which Fenerbahce lost 2-1 at home.
The incident occurred after a mass scuffle broke out between players from both teams, resulting in three red cards being issued, two to Galatasaray players and one to a Fenerbahce player. As the referee struggled to restore order, Mourinho and Buruk became embroiled in a heated exchange, which culminated in the Fenerbahce manager appearing to pinch Buruk’s nose, causing the Galatasaray coach to dramatically fall to the ground.
The TFF disciplinary committee reviewed the incident and deemed Mourinho’s behavior to be unacceptable, imposing a three-match ban and a fine of around £6,000.
The ban means that Mourinho will miss Fenerbahce’s upcoming matches against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor, and Kayserispor.
“Mourinho shall be banned from entering the dressing room and the bench for three official matches,” the TFF said in a statement. “This decision has been taken in accordance with the Turkish Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations, which prohibit violent conduct towards opponents, team officials, or match officials.”
The ban could have significant implications for Fenerbahce’s season, as they currently sit second in the Super Lig, six points behind leaders Galatasaray with a game in hand. Without their experienced manager on the sidelines, Fenerbahce may struggle to maintain their momentum and close the gap on their rivals.
Video footage of the incident has been widely shared on social media, showing Mourinho appearing to grab Buruk’s nose and the Galatasaray coach falling to the ground. The footage has sparked a heated debate about the behavior of coaches and players in football, with many calling for greater respect and sportsmanship.
