Jose Mourinho devises crafty plan to swerve Rangers Europa League dugout ban as Fenerbahce boss fights race claim

The legendary Portuguese boss has been engulfed in an ugly row in Turkey

Mark Walker and Gavin Berry Live Sports Editor

10:40, 27 Feb 2025

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - FEBRUARY 19: Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho leads a training session at the Fenerbahce Can Bartu facilities ahead of their UEFA Europa League play-off match against Anderlecht. in Istanbul, Turkiye, on February 19, 2025. (Photo by Adem Kutucu/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho could be bringing his Fenerbahce side to Glasgow(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho has taken a crafty step in a bid to avoid any possible ban ahead of Fenerbahce's Europa League showdown with Rangers by turning to Turkish language experts to prove he didn't make racist remarks.

Rangers face the Istanbul side next week in the Round of 16, but the former Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs boss is sweating on a possible dug-out ban. He was reported to UEFA and the Turkish FA by bitter derby rivals Galatasaray after he claimed the home bench were 'jumping around like monkeys' following a goalless draw on Monday.

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That sparked outrage among Galatasaray officials and UEFA could even impose a ban ahead of the Rangers games. But Mourinho has now found support from the Turkish Language Association - the government's regulatory body. Fenerbahce lawyers requested clarification from them about Mourinho's comments.

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And they stated that Mourinho's comments in the Turkish language mean 'someone who makes strange, ridiculous movements.'

Jose Mourinho

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Lawyers for the former Real Madrid, Porto, Roma and Inter Milan boss will then seek to get all charges dropped as it has been proved his comments were not racist and were not even insulting, according to the language experts.