By Kwame Bediako
José Mourinho has addressed allegations of racism stemming from comments he made during a match against the rival team Galatasaray. After the game, Mourinho described the opposing team’s bench as “jumping like monkeys,” a remark that drew backlash and accusations of racial insensitivity.
The 62-year-old quickly dismissed these claims, asserting that his critics lacked understanding of his personal and professional history.
In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated, “They were not clever in the way they attacked me, because they didn’t know my past.” He emphasized that his extensive connections with Africa, players and charities should be considered when assessing his character.
The controversy erupted after the match, where tensions ran high as Mourinho accused Galatasaray’s coach, Okan Buruk, of trying to manipulate the referee to send off one of Fenerbahce’s defenders early in the game.
His choice of words in describing the opposing bench led to widespread condemnation, prompting many to label the comments as racially charged. In response to the fallout, Mourinho insisted that racism is not one of his flaws. “Everyone knows who I am as a person. Everybody knows my bad qualities, but that is not one of my bad qualities. Exactly the opposite,” he stated.
