Mourinho Files European Court Complaint Against Türkiye Over Football Federation Dispute

^{Pictured: Jose Mourinho, head coach of Benfica / © Shutterstock}

Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho has filed an application against Türkiye with the European Court of Human Rights over disciplinary sanctions imposed on him during his time at Fenerbahçe, Türkiye Today reported, citing a notice published on the court’s website.

The case stems from sanctions imposed after Fenerbahçe’s match against Trabzonspor in November 2024, when Mourinho strongly criticised the refereeing and the use of VAR.

The Turkish Football Federation handed him a one-match ban, barring him from the touchline and the dressing room, and fined him a total of 658,500 Turkish lira, equivalent to about €12,300.

Mourinho challenged the sanctions within Turkish football, but the TFF Arbitration Board upheld them.

He then took the case to the ECHR. Mourinho argues that he was punished for public comments and that the disciplinary bodies in Turkish football were not sufficiently independent.

He also claims he was denied a fair hearing, saying the reasoned decision in the case was not properly served on his representatives.

The ECHR has requested observations from the Turkish government. Ankara has up to six months to submit its position. However, the fact that the complaint is being examined does not mean the court has accepted Mourinho’s arguments.

Mourinho is now in charge of Benfica. European media have also continued to discuss a possible return to Real Madrid, although there has been no official confirmation.