Chelsea's iconic striker Didier Drogba has launched an impassioned defence of his former manager Jose Mourinho after Galatasaray accused the current Fenerbahce boss of making "racist statements" following a heated clash between the Turkish giants.
Mourinho has been his typically outspoken self since taking over the Istanbul outfit in the summer. The former Blues boss has taken particular issue with the Turkish top-flight's referees, launching multiple rants which eventually forced the division to draft in Slovenian official Slavko Vincic for the hotly anticipated league encounter between league-leading Galatasaray and second-placed Fenerbahce on Monday.
The Champions League final referee oversaw a largely tepid 0-0 draw, but Mourinho's antics after the game have ignited a raging debate.
What Jose Mourinho said
It is not entirely clear exactly which comments have so angered Galatasaray. Mourinho told his post-match press conference: "I went to the referee's dressing room after the game. The fourth official was there - a Turkish referee - I told him if you are the referee it would be a disaster.
"If they're [Galatasaray] really, really good. If they want to be an example of 'we are good, we are strong, we are the champions, we want to show how good we are', they should ask for foreign referees every match.
"But when the referees are foreign, UEFA Cup - go home, against us at home - one shot on target. But if they are good and they believe really in themselves and in their power, they should ask the federation."
Mourinho accused Galatasaray's bench of "jumping like monkeys" in the opening minute to appeal for a yellow card and credited the referee with holding his nerve.
What Galatasaray have accused Mourinho of
Galatasaray were forceful with their swift responce. "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people," the club wrote. "Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.
"We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA. Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce - an institution professing to uphold 'exemplary moral values' - in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager."
In a further statement released on Wednesday, Galatasaray board member Can Natan said Mourinho's remarks are "not only insulting but also illustrate a troubling pattern that crosses the borders of racist behaviour".
Fenerbahce released a rebuttal: "A statement made by our technical director Jose Mourinho after the match was completely taken out of context and an attempt was made to deliberately distort it."
"Trying to portray this statement as racist is a completely malicious approach," the club concluded.
Didier Drogba rushes to Jose Mourinho's defence
Drogba not only made made 187 appearances for Mourinho across two spells at Chelsea, but also spent 18 successful months at Galatasaray. Despite his loyalties to the Istanbul club, the Ivory Coast icon emphatically defended Gala's arch-antagonist.
"Trust me when I tell you I have known Jose for xx years and he is not a racist and history (past and recent ) is there to prove it," the 46-year-old wrote on X.
"How can my 'Dad' be a racist," Drogba concluded. "Come on guys".
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