Jose Mourinho defends himself as the ‘opposite’ of a racist, offers his view on Jim Ratcliffe

Jose Mourinho has defended himself as the “opposite” of a racist following the row over comments he made in the wake of the Istanbul derby.

Mourinho was handed a four-match domestic ban, which was subsequently halved, for remarks after Fenerbahce’s 0-0 draw with Galatasaray last month.

The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter and Manchester United boss said the Galatasaray bench had been “jumping like monkeys” in an apparent attempt to get defender Yusuf Akcicek sent off.

But, speaking ahead of Fenerbahce’s Europa League last-16 tie with Rangers, Mourinho expressed his view that the allegations of racism made by Galatasaray backfired on them.

“They were not clever in the way they attacked me, because they didn’t know my past,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“They didn’t know my connections with Africa, with African people and African players and African charities.

“So instead of going against me, I think it boomeranged and went against them.

“They were not clever in the way they attacked me”

Jose Mourinho speaks for the first time about the racism claims made against him by Galatasaray. pic.twitter.com/4xRfuL5wRO

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 6, 2025

“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.

“The most important thing is I know who I am, and the attack accusing racism was a bad choice.”

Mourinho benefited from support from former players such as Didier Drogba and Michael Essien.

“Probably even from people who don’t like me the support was there,” Mourinho added.

“I thank the people who didn’t have a problem to speak (out), especially my boys, my former players. They were a very important voice.”

On his suspension, Mourinho made it clear what he sees as the reason for its reduction.

“On the day my ban was decided it comes to public eyes that the chief of the disciplinary committee is celebrating among friends with a Galatasaray shirt on,” he explained.  “Only here you can understand the dimension of it.”

🏆 #UEL Round of 16, 1st leg

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🗓 Tomorrow
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– Fenerbahce English (@fenerbahce_en) March 5, 2025

Should Fenerbahce overcome Rangers, their route to potential Europa League glory could see them face three of Mourinho’s former teams.

Roma will beckon in the last eight should the Serie A side defeat Athletic Bilbao, while Manchester United and Tottenham could lie in wait in the semi-final and final.

Europa League triumph is United’s last hope to salvage a miserable season, one set against a backdrop of fan fury at cost-cutting measures made by minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe.

Asked about United’s off-field issues, Mourinho spoke warmly of Ratcliffe.

“To be honest I don’t know much about what’s happening,” said Mourinho of the club’s financial decisions.

“I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. I’m not saying we are big friends but we have a good relationship.

“I know him well. He invited me to his house a couple of times. I see him as a good person and a great businessman.

“Of course, I feel for some of the people that I know (losing their jobs), but hopefully it goes in the right direction.”