Fenerbahçe issues statement on Mourinho's 'nose-pinching' incident: 'He provoked him with hand gestures'

Galatasaray advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Fenerbahçe 2-1 away in the Turkish Cup quarter-final match. Things got heated after the major derby.

As the teams were heading to the locker rooms, Jose Mourinho and Okan Buruk crossed paths in front of the club area.

The Portuguese manager suddenly pinched Okan Buruk's nose. Buruk fell to the ground following this intervention. 

İrfan Can Kahveci, visibly stunned by the incident, assisted Okan Buruk. Muslera and other Galatasaray players immediately arrived at the scene. The parties were separated with the help of security teams.

Following these images, the following statement was released on Fenerbahçe's official social media account:

"Mandatory Statement 

This is our statement regarding Okan Buruk, who approached our manager Jose Mourinho yesterday after the match while he was speaking with the referees under the pretext of shaking their hands, provoked our manager with his hand gestures and remarks, and had the audacity to make disrespectful hand gestures after crossing the police line. Following our manager's momentary touch to his nose in response to these provocations, the individual in question threw himself to the ground in an exaggerated manner. 

It is evident through the footage that this individual, who professionally threw himself to the ground with a 'shot' reflex as a continuation of his planned provocations after overstepping his bounds, engaged in disrespectful remarks and actions. The absurdity of a person whose nose was touched throwing himself to the ground and writhing for seconds, as well as the acting involved, is known to the entire public. 

It is clear that the images of this individual throwing himself to the ground during his playing days have continued into his managerial career, and that this attitude is a characteristic stance. It is clear that the evaluation of the ugly provocations and the subsequent events should not be one-sided, but should be made by establishing a cause-and-effect connection." 

Mandatory Statement 

This is our statement regarding Okan Buruk, who approached our manager Jose Mourinho yesterday after the match while he was speaking with the referees under the pretext of shaking their hands, provoked our manager with his hand gestures and remarks, and had the audacity to make disrespectful hand gestures after crossing the police line... 

pic.twitter.com/TNE5DOnpse

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce)

April 3, 2025 Following our manager's momentary touch to his nose in response to these provocations, the individual in question threw himself to the ground in an exaggerated manner.

It is evident through the footage that this individual, who professionally threw himself to the ground with a 'shot' reflex as a continuation of his planned provocations after overstepping his bounds, engaged in disrespectful remarks and actions. The absurdity of a person whose nose was touched throwing himself to the ground and writhing for seconds, as well as the acting involved, is known to the entire public.