Drogba defends Mourinho as Fenerbahce boss threatens to SUE Galatasaray

Tom Weber

• Updated: 26 Feb 2025 08:56 CST
• 4 min read

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is siding with Jose Mourinho against his former club as the Fenerbahce boss is threatening legal action against Galatasaray.

The two Istanbul rivals faced off in a predictably heated derby on Monday. Despite the 0-0 result - which suited league-leaders Galatasaray - there was plenty to talk about after the match.

Not only was the game notable due to Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic taking charge amid ongoing controversy over the standard of officiating in Turkey but also because of the fall-out afterwards.

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho, the biggest critic of domestic referees, praised Vincinc in his post-match press conference and quipped that he told the Turkish fourth official that the game would have been a 'disaster' had he been put in charge.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho and the greatest managerial mismatch of our time

"I went to the referee's dressing room after the game. Of course, the fourth official was there, a Turkish referee. And I told him [Vincic], thank you [for coming] here," Mourinho said.

"I turn myself to the fourth official and I told [him] this match, if you are the referee, would be a disaster. When I say 'him,' I say the general tendency."

Mourinho accused of racism

When pressed on the topic again, Mourinho doubled down on his remarks and made another questionable statement by saying that Galatasaray's bench had 'jumped like monkeys' during an incident early on in the match.

"Again, I have to thank the referee because with a Turkish referee after the big dive and the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on top of the kids. A Turkish referee would have [given Yusuf Akcicek] a yellow card after one minute, and after five minutes I would have to change him."

Galatasaray took exception to the comments and promised to 'initiate criminal proceedings' against Mourinho. A statement read: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people.

"Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric. We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA."

Fenerbahce, in turn, bit back and stated that the club would themselves take legal action. They declared that Mourinho's statements “can in no way be associated with racism. Trying to portray this discourse as racist is a completely malevolent approach. We will exercise our legal rights regarding this pathetic slander.”

READ MORE: Mourinho accused of RACISM by Galatasaray with CRIMINAL complaint filed against Fenerbahce manager

Now, even ex-Galatasaray player Didier Drogba has chimed in, defending his legendary former Chelsea manager against the racism accusations. "Dear Galatasaray SK," Drogba wrote on social media.

"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.

"Let’s focus on our games, support our brilliant lions and let’s win the league to get close to our 5 stars. How can my 'Dad' be a racist? Come on, guys!"