Jose Mourinho has picked up a three-match ban for pinching the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk’s nose.
The Special One’s feud with Galatasaray continued in the aftermath of Fenerbahce’s Turkish Super Cup loss to their rivals when he walked up behind Buruk and grabbed his nose, sending the head coach to the floor, apparently in agony. Now, reports say the Portuguese boss has been slapped with a three-match suspension.
The Turkish Football Federation were exploring a potential five to 10 match ban for the former Chelsea boss but opted to reduce his punishment after accepting that he was initially provoked by Buruk at full-time. It is the second time in 2025 that Mourinho is facing a touchline ban, after being hit with four matches in February after being accused of making racist comments about the Galatasaray bench.
Alongside Mourinho, Galatasaray players Baris Alper Yılmaz and Kerem Demirbay, as well as Fenerbahce player Fred, have been handed three-match bans. Fenerbahce’s Merk Hakan is also being suspended for one match.
Depending on when the ban comes into effect, Mourinho could miss key games against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor. Fenerbahce sit six points behind Galatasaray at the top of the Turkish Super Lig with a game in hand.
