Jose Mourinho's Four-Match Ban Halved by Turkish Football Federation

The Turkish Football Federation has reduced Jose Mourinho's four-match ban to two matches, allowing the Fenerbahce manager to return for the team's Super Lig match against Samsunspor on March.

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has had his four-match suspension reduced to two matches by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) after the club appealed the decision. The original ban was handed down due to Mourinho's comments about Turkish referees following a 0-0 Super Lig draw against Galatasaray.

Mourinho had criticized the match officials in a post-game press conference, sparking a strong response from the TFF. The Portuguese manager was fined 1.6 million Turkish lira ($43,963.89), which was later reduced to 558,500. The TFF deemed Mourinho's remarks to be “derogatory and offensive” towards the Turkish referee and accused him of promoting chaos and disorder in Turkish football.

The TFF stated that Mourinho's comments violated sports ethics, promoted violence and disorder, and could incite fan incidents. Notably, the match between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray was refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic, who was chosen to officiate the game after both clubs requested a foreign official.

BREAKING: Jose Mourinho has had his four-match suspension halved and his fine reduced from ₺1.6m (£35,000) to ₺558,000 (£12,200) following a successful appeal by Fenerbahce. pic.twitter.com/4tGPEXEXmb

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 1, 2025

In response to the TFF's decision, Fenerbahce issued a statement defending Mourinho, claiming that his comments were taken out of context and deliberately distorted. The club's appeal ultimately led to the reduction of Mourinho's suspension, allowing him to return to the sidelines sooner.

Jose Mourinho, who has previously managed Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, has a history of run-ins with Turkish football authorities. He has been fined and suspended in the past for his comments about Turkish match officials, and his latest ban is just the latest in a series of disciplinary actions.

In a separate development, Fenerbahce announced on Friday that Mourinho has filed a lawsuit against Galatasaray after the club accused him of making racist statements. This latest controversy adds to the drama surrounding Mourinho's tenure at Fenerbahce, but the Portuguese manager will have the opportunity to put the focus back on football when he returns to the sidelines.

Mourinho will be back in charge for Fenerbahce's Super Lig match against Samsunspor on March 16. His team is currently second in Turkey's Super Lig, trailing fellow Istanbul side Galatasaray by six points. With Mourinho at the helm, Fenerbahce will be looking to close the gap and mount a challenge for the title.