Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho has been handed a three-match suspension and fined approximately £6,000 ($7,734.00) following an altercation with Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk during the Istanbul derby, the Turkish Football Federation announced on Saturday.
The incident took place after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 home defeat in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday. A heated scuffle had broken out involving players from both teams, resulting in three red cards—two for Galatasaray.
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Following the final whistle, the 62-year-old Portuguese coach was seen pinching Buruk’s nose, prompting the Galatasaray manager to fall to the ground theatrically.
Reports suggest the Turkish Football Federation initially considered imposing a five to ten match ban on Mourinho, but ultimately decided on a reduced sanction after acknowledging that he had been provoked by Buruk at full-time.
“Mourinho shall be banned from entering the dressing room and the bench for three official matches,” TFF said in a statement.
Mourinho is set to miss Fenerbahce’s upcoming matches against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor, and Kayserispor.
Fenerbahce currently sits second in the Super Lig, six points behind league leaders Galatasaray, though they have a game in hand.
This marks the second time in 2025 that Mourinho has received a touchline suspension. In February, he was handed a four-match ban for making racist remarks directed at the Galatasaray bench.
