Essien and Mourinho at a press conference
Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has shown solidarity with his former manager, Jose Mourinho, who is alleged to have made a racial slur against Galatasaray during a fierce derby clash against Fenerbahce.
The top table clash on Monday, February 24, 2025, ultimately ended in a goalless draw, favoring Galatasaray, who maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table with 12 games remaining.
However, the aftermath of the game has caused intense backlash for Mourinho after his post-match comments were deemed a racist remark directed at the club and its players.
The comments prompted Galatasaray to announce their intention to initiate legal proceedings against the former Real Madrid coach. However, Essien has joined several fans and former footballers in defending the former Chelsea boss.
Essien took to social media to post a picture with Mourinho during their time at Chelsea, accompanied by two heart emojis.
Mourinho signed the midfielder for Chelsea in 2005 from French giants Lyon, and the two enjoyed a storied time together, winning multiple trophies, including the Premier League and the FA Cup.
♥️♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/s7cAdizbHg
— Michael Essien® (@MichaelEssien) February 26, 2025
Meanwhile watch GhanaWeb’s breakdown of the uproar triggered by Jamie Carragher’s comments on the AFCON and Mo Salah below:
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