Jose Mourinho, a manager known for his fiery and often provocative statements, is once again at the center of a storm following allegations of racism. The controversy erupted after Mourinho’s recent comments about a young Turkish player during a Fenerbahce-Galatasaray derby on February 24, 2025. His remarks, which referenced “monkeys” in relation to Galatasaray’s bench reaction, have drawn sharp criticism and sparked accusations of racism.
The incident has prompted Galatasaray to announce their intention to pursue legal action. This latest episode places Mourinho alongside several other high-profile coaches who have faced similar accusations of discriminatory behavior, leading to investigations and in some cases, dismissals. This has contributed to the ongoing conversation about race, power, and prejudice in football. Here are five notable instances:
Gérard Houllier ( Liverpool)
Emile Heskey the former Liverpool and England striker, was racially targeted by the Liverpool coach, Gérard Houllier in 2002. The incident occurred when Houllier allegedly made a comment about Heskey’s appearance that was racially insensitive. Heskey, who is Black, recalled that Houllier used the term “big, black and strong” to describe him in a way that was seen as derogatory and racially stereotypical.
The comment was reported to have been said in a private meeting or conversation, and although it was not explicitly made in a public setting, it nonetheless raised significant concern about the racial dynamics within the club at the time.
The incident created an atmosphere of tension, but it was one of the many challenges Heskey faced during his career, particularly in terms of dealing with racial prejudices and stereotypes in football.
Heskey later spoke about this event in interviews, shedding light on his experience with racism within the sport.
Kevin MacDonald (Aston Villa)
In December 2018, Aston Villa suspended coach Kevin MacDonald following allegations of bullying from former players.He was accused of bullying after comments he allegedly made during a team training session. He was accused of making disparaging remarks to young players, including an incident where he reportedly mocked a player’s ability and belittled them in front of others.
These remarks were said to have created an intimidating and uncomfortable atmosphere for the players involved. MacDonald later defended his actions, claiming that his comments were made in a constructive manner, but the accusations sparked concern about the impact of such behavior on players’ mental well-being. The club initiated an internal investigation, and MacDonald was later dismissed in August 2019.
Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan)
He served as the head coach of AC Milan from 2017 to 2019, faced accusations of discrimination in 2018 regarding his treatment of certain players. The controversy primarily stemmed from claims made by the Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié who was a key figure under Gattuso’s management.
In 2018, Kessié was reportedly upset after being left out of a match due to tactical reasons, and Gattuso’s response to the situation was considered dismissive by some. There were rumors circulating that Gattuso had displayed a bias against Kessié, possibly influenced by the player’s African heritage, although there was no direct evidence of racism.
Furthermore, Gattuso’s handling of Kessié’s behavior, especially during a few public spats, raised questions. Gattuso was known for his fiery temperament and often clashed with players who didn’t meet his high standards. However, it’s important to note that accusations of discrimination or racism were not formally proven, and Gattuso himself denied any ill intentions toward Kessié or any other players based on their ethnicity.
While these incidents created a certain amount of media attention and debate, the accusations against Gattuso did not lead to any official charges or widespread condemnation of discriminatory behavior. Nonetheless, the situation added to the larger conversation about race and discrimination in football, particularly concerning how players from diverse backgrounds might sometimes be treated differently.
John Yems (Crawley Town)
In April 2022, he was suspended following credible allegations of racial slurs and racially segregated changing rooms. He was accused of using discriminatory language and behavior towards players. The Football Association (FA) conducted an investigation, and in January 2023, Yems was found guilty of 12 charges of racial discrimination, resulting in an 18-month ban from all football-related activities. This ban was later extended to January 2026 after an FA appeal.
Jose Mourinho (Fenerbahce)
In his latest controversy, Mourinho made comments about the Turkish people and their behavior during a February 2025 match against Galatasaray, which led to accusations of racism. His remarks about Galatasaray’s bench behavior were described as derogatory and sparked a backlash, with the Turkish club promising to take legal action.
