Fenerbahçe Defends Mourinho: “Provocation Was Planned”

Fenerbahçe has released a statement regarding the events between Head Coach Jose Mourinho and Okan Buruk during the Turkish Cup match against Galatasaray

Here is Fenerbahçe’s statement:

“Following yesterday’s match, our Head Coach Jose Mourinho was engaged in a discussion with the referees under the pretense of shaking their hands when Okan Buruk approached him. With provocative gestures and remarks, he attempted to incite our coach. After crossing the police boundary, he even had the audacity to make a disrespectful hand gesture.

After these provocations, our coach briefly touched his nose, following which the individual in question dramatically threw himself to the ground in an exaggerated manner.

It is evident that this person, who deliberately provoked our coach beyond acceptable limits and then continued his plan by theatrically falling as if he had been ‘shot,’ displayed disrespectful words and actions, all of which are captured in footage.

The absurdity of someone falling to the ground and writhing for seconds after merely having their nose touched is obvious to the public.

It is clear that this individual’s tendency to dive and exaggerate, seen during his playing career, has continued into his managerial career as a characteristic behavior.

It is essential that any assessment of these provocations and the subsequent events be conducted with a cause-and-effect perspective rather than a one-sided interpretation.”