Jose Mourinho floors rival manager as three reds shown in fiery Fenerbahce derby

Istanbul Derby Erupts: Mourinho and Buruk Clash in Sideline Spat

In a fiery encounter during the Istanbul derby, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho became embroiled in a contentious confrontation with Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk as the match neared its conclusion. The former Chelsea manager endured defeat from the technical area as his Fenerbahce squad suffered a narrow loss to their fierce rivals. Galatasaray’s victory was secured by Victor Osimhen, who converted two early penalties, while Sebastian Szymanski scored a single goal in response for the home side.

Touchline Altercation Sparks Scuffle

Following the final whistle, tensions escalated dramatically when Mourinho and Buruk engaged in a heated exchange, swiftly descending into a sideline scuffle. The pair were observed in conversation before Mourinho appeared to grab Buruk’s nose, causing the Galatasaray manager to fall to the ground. Buruk remained on the pitch holding his face as a member of Mourinho’s coaching staff intervened to separate him from the unfolding melee.

Players Involved, Red Cards Issued in Aftermath

Subsequent to the managerial clash, players from both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray became involved in a physical confrontation, fueled by heightened emotions in the immediate aftermath. Law enforcement intervened to restore order amidst the chaos. Four red cards were issued to individuals deemed principally responsible for escalating the fracas. Mert Hakan Yandas, Salvatore Foti, Kerem Demirbay, and Baris Alper Yilmaz were all ejected from the match for their roles in the post-match melee. Notably, Mourinho avoided immediate expulsion, though he could potentially face retrospective disciplinary action.

History of Touchline Incidents

Vilanova Eye Poke Incident

This recent incident is not the first time Mourinho has exhibited aggressive behavior towards a rival manager. During his tenure as the head coach of Real Madrid, he infamously poked Tito Vilanova, then the assistant coach at Barcelona, in the eye during a fierce touchline brawl in a previous El Clasico.

That particular incident went unnoticed by the referee during the match, resulting in no immediate punishment as VAR technology was not yet in use. However, Mourinho was later retrospectively handed a two-match suspension, applicable to Spanish Super Cup fixtures, although this ban was ultimately overturned on appeal.

Mourinho’s Apology and Regret

Years later, reflecting on his actions in Spain, the Portuguese manager admitted his fault in the Vilanova incident and expressed regret, stating he would have acted differently if he could revisit the situation. “I was the one in the wrong,” Mourinho acknowledged. “I shouldn’t have done what I did. Of course not, that negative image lasts forever. Tito had nothing to do with it. I apologize to him.”

Continuing his reflection, Mourinho stated, “I was a victim of myself. If I could go back, this would be one of the things I would never repeat. Before that, I had been winning, winning, and winning. I got into this state that if I wasn’t winning, it seemed like the end of the world to me.”

Earlier Ban for Galatasaray Comments

Earlier in the current season, Mourinho already served a four-match ban and was fined £35,000 after facing accusations of discriminatory comments following a separate match against Galatasaray. In a post-game press conference, he reportedly characterized the behavior of the opposing team’s bench as ‘jumping like monkeys’. Galatasaray responded by threatening legal action against Mourinho, who denied that his comments were intended to be discriminatory.