Jose Mourinho Handed A Hefty Four-Match BAN By Turkish Football Over Controversial Comment After Istanbul Derby.

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been given a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation after being accused of a racist comment on Turkish referees following the match at Galatasaray on Monday night.

Fenerbahce were held to a goalless draw away to their bitter local rivals Galatasaray in the Super Lig. 

Players refused to shake hands during the derby, and after the tie, there were worries about the conduct of the spectators, indicating that tensions were high both on and off the pitch during the derby.

Mourinho accused the Galatasaray bench of attempting to get Fenerbahce defender Yusuf Akcicek sent off. He referred to the Galatasaray bench as "monkeys" in his criticism of their early-game behaviour.

These comments led to a strong response from Galatasaray, who threatened to sue Mourinho, accusing him of making “derogatory statements towards the Turkish people.” They also announced their intention to take legal action and file official complaints with UEFA and FIFA.

Mourinho's team's efforts were overshadowed by his reported racist remark.

Due to the intense nature of the match, both teams requested a non-Turkish referee, which is unusual. The Super Lig agreed, appointing Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic. Mourinho praised Vincic’s performance after the match, saying it was a top performance and suggesting that had a Turkish referee been in charge, the result might have been different.

However, Mourinho also expressed his displeasure with the Turkish fourth official at his press conference after the game.

In the referee's dressing room at full time, he disclosed that he had told the fourth official, "If you were a referee, this match would be a disaster."

The Turkish football federation (TFF) on Thursday fined the 62-year-old Portuguese coach 1.6 million Turkish lira ($44,000, £35,194) for his criticism of the officials.

However, the federation said they were charging Mourinho on two counts: first, for "his derogatory and offensive statements towards the Turkish referee," and second, because he "accused Turkish football of chaos and disorder with insulting and offensive statements towards both the Turkish football community and all Turkish referees.

A statement from the TFF explained that Mourinho’s comments were “contrary to the ethics of sports,” contained language that could encourage violence and disorder, and were divisive in society. The statement added that they could also provoke fan incidents.

The sanctions will see Mourinho banned from the dressing rooms and dugout for Fenerbahce’s next two games. He will also serve an additional two-match ban for “an act against sportsmanship” related to his post-match press conference.

Later, in a statement, Fenerbahce said that Mourinho's comments had been taken "completely out of context."

In addition to being suspended for Sunday's league encounter against Antalyaspor, Mourinho will have to witness the forthcoming games against Samsunspor, Bodrum, and Trabzonspor from the stands. The punishment did not affect Thursday night's 4-1 Turkish Cup victory at Gazientep.

Fenerbahce has confirmed that they will appeal the penalties given to Mourinho. It means that if Fenerbahce’s appeal is unsuccessful, The 62-year-old will only return to the dugout away to Sivasspor on April 13.

With 12 games left, Fenerbahce is still six points behind the league leaders after the draw with Galatasaray. 

Mourinho took over as manager of the team in the summer, after signing a two-year contract, In his 41 games as manager in all competitions, he has won 26 of them thus far and lost just five.

Fenerbahce also remain in Europe after reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

They will face Rangers for a place in the quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for next Thursday.