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Portrait of José Mourinho

Photo: Zafer · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Portugal · Nationality Portuguese — Sport / football

José Mourinho

Sport

Documented profile covering 17 controversies, including “2024–2026: Turkish sanctions following attacks on refereeing impartiality, then application to European Court of Human Rights” and “2025: 'jumping like monkeys' remarks after Galatasaray, racism allegation, sanction and reduction on appeal”.

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Profile No. 1686 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of José Mourinho

Photo: Zafer · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
17Documented controversies
21Sources
1 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2024-11–2026-06

2024–2026: Turkish sanctions following attacks on refereeing impartiality, then application to European Court of Human Rights

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following a Fenerbahçe victory over Trabzonspor, Mourinho accused the Turkish refereeing system of bias and made harsh remarks about the league. The Turkish federation suspended him for one match and imposed a fine. In 2026, he lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ReutersFenerbahce's Mourinho suspended, fined for comments on Turkish refereesNews agencyHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    ReutersMourinho files European human rights complaint over Turkish fine and banNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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02

2025-02–2025-03

2025: 'jumping like monkeys' remarks after Galatasaray, racism allegation, sanction and reduction on appeal

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following the Galatasaray–Fenerbahçe derby, Mourinho described the opposing bench as having been 'jumping like monkeys'. Galatasaray accused him of racist remarks and announced action. The TFF sanctioned him in two disciplinary cases concerning his remarks and criticism of Turkish football.

State of the evidence
Alleged
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho given four-match ban for comments after Istanbul derbyBroadcastHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho ban halved and fine reduced after appealBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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03

2025-02–2025-03

2025: Mourinho brings civil action against Galatasaray following racism allegations

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following the derby, Mourinho brought an action against Galatasaray seeking 1.907 million Turkish lira after the club publicly accused him of making racist statements.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho files lawsuit against Galatasaray after Istanbul derbyBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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04

2025-04

2025: pinches Okan Buruk's nose after cup derby — three-match suspension

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following Fenerbahçe's defeat to Galatasaray in the Turkish Cup, Mourinho approached Okan Buruk and grabbed or pinched his nose. The opposing coach fell to the floor, and the incident went viral.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Guardian / ReutersMourinho fined and banned for pinching rival manager's noseNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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05

2023-05–2023-06

2023: remarks against referee Daniele Chiffi and ten-day Serie A suspension

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following Monza–Roma, Mourinho described Daniele Chiffi as the worst referee he had encountered and said he had worn a microphone to protect himself. Italian sporting authorities suspended him for ten days and fined him €50,000.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho banned for 10 days over referee commentsBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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06

2023-05–2023-06

2023: confrontation with Anthony Taylor following Europa League final and four-match UEFA suspension

Civil / administrative proceedings

After the Roma–Sevilla final, Mourinho waited for referee Anthony Taylor in the car park and verbally confronted him. Taylor and his family were subsequently harassed by supporters at the airport. UEFA suspended Mourinho for four European matches.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho banned for four European games for confronting Anthony TaylorBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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07

2019-02

2019: tax fraud conviction in Spain relating to image rights

Conviction

Mourinho admitted tax fraud involving image rights income from 2011 and 2012 during his time at Real Madrid. He accepted a one-year prison sentence that was not served and financial penalties.

Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianJosé Mourinho accepts prison sentence for tax fraud but will not go to jailPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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08

2015-08–2016-06

2015–2016: dispute with doctor Eva Carneiro, departure, employment proceedings and settlement

Civil / administrative proceedings

After publicly criticising Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn for entering the pitch to treat Eden Hazard, Mourinho changed Carneiro's role. She left Chelsea and brought a constructive dismissal claim against the club and a personal discrimination claim against Mourinho.

State of the evidence
Settlement
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    BBC SportEva Carneiro: Chelsea doctor leaves clubBroadcastHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho cleared by FA over alleged remarks to Eva CarneiroBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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09

2016-10

2016: pre-match comments about referee Anthony Taylor and FA charge

Civil / administrative proceedings

Before Liverpool–Manchester United, Mourinho publicly commented on Anthony Taylor's appointment and the pressure he was under, breaching FA rules concerning pre-match comments about referees.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho: Man Utd manager charged by FA over referee commentsBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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10

2016-10–2016-11

2016: sent to stands against Burnley and further sanction for conduct towards official

Civil / administrative proceedings

During Manchester United–Burnley, Mourinho was sent to the stands following an altercation with referee Mark Clattenburg in the tunnel at half-time. Further FA proceedings followed.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho: Manchester United manager given one-match touchline banBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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11

2014-12–2015-01

2014–2015: claims of a 'campaign' against Chelsea and £25,000 fine

Civil / administrative proceedings

Mourinho claimed that a media and refereeing 'campaign' against Chelsea was influencing penalty decisions. The FA initiated proceedings and subsequently fined him.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho: Chelsea manager fined £25,000 for referee commentsBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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12

2015-10

2015: 'referees are afraid to give Chelsea penalties' — £50,000 fine

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following a defeat by Southampton, Mourinho claimed that referees were afraid to award Chelsea penalties. The FA deemed the remarks improper and fined him £50,000, with a suspended stadium ban.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho: Chelsea boss fined and given suspended stadium banBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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13

2015-10–2015-11

2015: confrontation with referee Jon Moss at West Ham, stadium ban and fine

Civil / administrative proceedings

At half-time in a match against West Ham, Mourinho went into the referees' area and made remarks considered improper towards Jon Moss. The FA imposed a one-match stadium ban and a fine.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho: Chelsea boss given one-match stadium banBroadcastHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The FAOne-match stadium suspension for Jose MourinhoOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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14

2011-08–2011-10

2011: pokes Tito Vilanova in eye during Super Cup brawl

Civil / administrative proceedings

At the end of a Spanish Super Cup Clásico marked by a mass brawl, Mourinho was filmed poking Tito Vilanova, then Barcelona assistant coach, in the eye.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    BBC SportJose Mourinho: Real Madrid boss handed two-match banBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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15

2010-11–2010-12

2010: deliberately engineered Real Madrid red cards, UEFA sanction against Mourinho

Civil / administrative proceedings

During a Champions League match against Ajax, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos deliberately incurred second yellow cards so they could serve suspensions before the next stage. UEFA sanctioned Mourinho for improper conduct connected to the manoeuvre.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    UEFAAppeals Body announces Madrid decisionsOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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16

2005-02–2005-03

2005: allegations against Rijkaard and referee Anders Frisk, UEFA sanction

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following a Champions League match against Barcelona, Mourinho accused Frank Rijkaard of having met referee Anders Frisk at half-time. UEFA deemed the statements false and damaging to football and suspended him for two matches.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMourinho handed two-match banPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    UEFAFrisk quits over safety fearsOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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17

2005

2005: Ashley Cole affair, unauthorised meeting with player under Arsenal contract

Civil / administrative proceedings

Mourinho attended a clandestine meeting with Ashley Cole while the player was under contract with Arsenal. The Premier League found him guilty of breaching rules prohibiting approaches to a player without his club's permission.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMourinho wins huge cut in tapping-up finePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (6)
  1. Arsène Wenger2 documented references
  2. Antonio Conte1 documented reference
  3. Ashley Cole1 documented reference
  4. Iker Casillas1 documented reference
  5. Paul Pogba1 documented reference
  6. Sergio Ramos1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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