Mourinho Hit with Three-Match Ban After Nose-Pinch Incident in Istanbul Derby

TDT | Manama

Email : hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho has been handed a three-match touchline ban and fined over £6,000 after grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk during a fiery Turkish Cup quarter-final earlier this week.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed the punishment on Saturday, three days after Galatasaray claimed a 2-1 win at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium—a match that ended in chaos both on and off the pitch.

Tensions boiled over in the closing moments, with a mass scuffle erupting involving players and staff from both sides. The referee issued three red cards—two to Galatasaray players—before full-time.

But the incident drawing the most attention came after the whistle, when Mourinho approached Buruk and appeared to pinch the Galatasaray manager’s nose. Buruk then dramatically fell to the ground, sparking further outrage.

In a statement, the TFF said Mourinho would be suspended from the touchline and the dressing room for three official matches. The Portuguese manager will now be absent for Fenerbahce’s upcoming league fixtures against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor, and Kayserispor.

Fenerbahce currently sit second in the Turkish Super Lig, six points behind leaders Galatasaray but with a game in hand.

The latest drama adds to Mourinho’s growing list of controversies since arriving in Turkey—but with the title race heating up, his absence from the sidelines could prove costly in the weeks ahead.