Mourinho Banned for Nose-Grabbing Incident in Istanbul Derby

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for three matches and fined around £6,000 after grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk during the Istanbul derby, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed on Saturday.

The incident happened after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 home defeat to Galatasaray in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Towards the end of the match, a big fight broke out between players from both teams. The referee showed three red cards – two to Galatasaray players – before the final whistle. After the game ended, Mourinho, aged 62, appeared to pinch Buruk’s nose. The Galatasaray coach then fell to the ground in a dramatic manner.

In a statement, the TFF said: “Mourinho shall be banned from entering the dressing room and the bench for three official matches.”

This means Mourinho will miss Fenerbahce’s next three games against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor.

Fenerbahce are currently second in the Turkish Super Lig, six points behind leaders Galatasaray, but they do have one game in hand.