Derby Drama Continues: Mourinho Allegedly Pinches Galatasaray Manager in Post-Match Confrontation
Nose Pinch Incident Mars Turkish Derby as Galatasaray Accuses Mourinho of Attack
The intense rivalry between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray took another dramatic turn after their Turkish Cup quarter-final clash, with Galatasaray accusing Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho of physically assaulting their manager Okan Buruk.
The alleged incident occurred on the pitch at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium following Galatasaray’s 2-1 victory. Reports and footage suggest Mourinho approached Buruk from behind and pinched his nose, causing the Galatasaray coach to fall to the ground.
Galatasaray’s vice-president, Metin Ozturk, reacted strongly, labeling Mourinho’s behavior as a “physical attack” and questioning his attitude towards Turkish football. He urged Fenerbahce to take disciplinary action.
While Buruk himself attempted to downplay the confrontation, describing it as a nose pinch and “not a classy move,” he acknowledged that managers should conduct themselves more appropriately.
The ill-tempered match also saw three players sent off during a bench brawl in stoppage time, highlighting the animosity between the two sides.
This latest episode follows a history of friction between Mourinho and Galatasaray. Earlier this year, Galatasaray accused Mourinho of racism after a league game, prompting legal threats from both sides. Mourinho also recently served a four-game ban imposed by the Turkish Football Federation for unrelated disciplinary matters. Fenerbahce has yet to officially comment on the newest allegations.
