Former Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba has stepped in to defend Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho after his former club accused the Portuguese coach of making racist remarks.
The controversy erupted after Monday’s 0-0 draw between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, during which Mourinho allegedly told the Galatasaray bench they were “jumping like monkeys.” In response, the club issued a statement announcing its intention to pursue legal action against Mourinho, accusing him of racist and derogatory remarks aimed at the Turkish people.
However, Drogba, who played for Galatasaray and previously worked under Mourinho at Chelsea, took to X on Wednesday to defend his former coach. The Ivorian legend dismissed the allegations, referring to Mourinho as his “dad” and insisting that the 62-year-old is not racist.
“Dear @GalatasaraySK, You know how proud I was to wear the yellow and red jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!!” Drogba wrote.
“We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience it.
I’ve seen the recent comments about Jose Mourinho. Trust me when I tell you, I have known Jose for 25 years, and he is not a racist—history (past and recent) is there to prove it.
Let’s focus on our games, support our brilliant lions, and let’s win the league to get closer to our 5th star.”
Drogba ended his post with a firm statement of support for Mourinho:
“How can my ‘Dad’ be a racist… Come on, guys.”
The debate over Mourinho’s alleged remarks continues to stir reactions in the football world, with Galatasaray pushing forward with legal action while Drogba and Mourinho’s supportersinsist the claims are misinterpreted.
