TURKISH league leaders Galatasaray said the club planned to launch criminal proceedings against Jose Mourinho for “derogatory statements” about Turkish people.

The club said it would also submit complaints to governing bodies Uefa and Fifa after the Fenerbahce boss’ comments following Monday’s 0-0 draw between the top two sides.

The former Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid manager made comments about the Galatasaray bench “jumping like monkeys” after an early challenge and the match being better because it was not officiated by a Turkish referee. Slovenian Slavko Vincic refereed the contest.

A statement from Galatasaray said Mourinho “has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people” since taking over at Fenerbahce in June 2024.

“Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric,” the statement said.

“We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to Uefa and Fifa.”

Describing Mourinho’s conduct as “reprehensible,” it said rivals Fenerbahce professed “to uphold ‘exemplary moral values’.”

The statement was posted on the club website under the headline: “Say no to racism.”

Mourinho was defended by Fenerbahce vice-president Acun Ilicali, who told Sky Sports News: “Jose Mourinho is just describing the emotion of the bench by using the word monkey, that’s all.

“When I say you are running like a rabbit, I don’t say that you are a rabbit. So when I say you are jumping like a monkey, it doesn’t mean you are a monkey.

“You can clearly understand that Jose Mourinho had no intention to be racist, in the words or behind the words or around the words. That’s a very clear situation that is trying to be manipulated by Galatasaray’s board, and we are used to it in Turkey.

“Jose is very important for us, we are very happy to be with him, and as a club I can clearly say that we are behind our coach, we are supporting him 100 per cent.”

Earlier this season, Mourinho was handed a one-match ban and fined almost £15,000 for his response to Fenerbahce’s 3-2 Super Lig victory at Trabzonspor.

The Portuguese was charged with “unsportsmanlike behaviour towards opposing team fans” and “diminishing the value of Turkish football and… discrediting the impartiality of the referees and other match officials” during an outspoken post-match interview.