Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho has berated the officiating in the Turkish league, claiming that there is a toxic environment in the country’s football league.
This is coming after Galatarsaray’s 2-1 win over Goztepe over the weekend, an encounter that was marred with questionable decisions, which prompted Goztepe to release a statement demanding “temporary foreign referee system to be established immediately”, adding “we want a League of Deserved Winners”.
Mourinho has not enjoyed a good relationship with match officials in Turkey since joining Fenerbahce in the summer. He has consistently slammed the officials for their questionable calls against his team.
The Portuguese manager was frustrated with officiating in Fenerbache’s 2-1 win over Hatayspor on Sunday.
He said: “Everybody was saying the same thing, scandal, scandal. I learned a new word [in Turkish].
“In the last two matches, we are speaking about five red cards that [should have been shown] against our opponents. The opposition knows how they can play against us and our players feel it.
“I think some of you [media] like it. Even the winners like it, which is the worst thing of all. Because to win at any cost and to win in this way is the worst thing.
“In terms of the feeling of something that is toxic, we feel [it], obviously, we feel. After 25 years as a coach and 35 in football, 10 as an assistant, I’ve never seen anything like this.
“It has a dimension that goes above anything that can be understandable. I don’t think this is a situation that a single club, fighting, is going to destroy a system that is very strong and that is in place.
“This is the league where I work, it’s going to be my league hopefully for two years minimum. But this is your league. This is the league of every kid that loves football, that dreams of being a football player … If you are happy with this status quo, then be happy. I don’t think it’s something that a club individually can resolve.”
Mourinho was appointed in the summer to end Fenerbahce’s 10-year wait for a Turkish league title, but they are currently eight points behind Galatasaray after 17 matches.
He concluded: “We can only work hard like we do. To close the gap we need to win matches and we need the leaders to lose points. I think we are going to win matches, and we are going to be better than we are now. But how are they [Galatasaray] going to lose points, that is the question, how?”
The former Roma manager has led Fenerbache to 12 wins, three draws and two defeats in the league, scoring 42 goals, while conceding 16.
Up next for Fenerbache is a Turkish Cup clash against Kasimpasa on Thursday, while they will return to league action with a trip to Konyaspor on Monday.
