Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has defended Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho after Galatasaray accused him of making racist remarks during a recent match.
The two Turkish football giants, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, played a goalless draw at Rams Park on Monday, February 24, 2025.
After the match, Galatasaray announced plans to “initiate criminal proceedings” against Mourinho, claiming he made “racist statements” about their bench.
In his post-match press conference, Mourinho allegedly said the Galatasaray bench was “jumping like monkeys” while pushing for an early yellow card for one of his players.
This statement drew strong reactions, with Galatasaray vowing to report the incident to UEFA and FIFA.
A part of Galatasaray’s statement read: “Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. 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.”
Amid the controversy, Didier Drogba, who played for Galatasaray between 2013 and 2014 and had two successful spells under Mourinho at Chelsea, took to social media to support his former coach.
Drogba expressed disbelief over the racism allegations, calling for calm and defending Mourinho’s character. “How can my ‘Dad’ be a racist?” Drogba wrote. “Jose Mourinho is a man I have known for over 20 years. He has always treated me and others with the utmost respect.”
The Ivorian football star emphasized that Mourinho had supported him and many other African players throughout his career. “He believed in me when many didn’t. He gave me the platform to succeed at Chelsea, and I know the kind of person he is,” Drogba added.
