Former Chelsea and Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba weighed in on the racism row involving his previous coach Jose Mourinho on Wednesday, saying the Portuguese coach “is just not a racist and historical past is there to show it.”
Mourinho, who coaches Fenerbahce in Turkey, was accused by Galatasaray of creating racist feedback after a 0-0 draw between the rivals groups that was refereed by a Slovenian official on Monday.
Mourinho was requested a couple of problem early within the match and stated a Turkish referee would have reacted with a yellow card “after the large dive and their [Galatasaray’s] bench leaping round like monkeys.”
Galatasaray stated they deliberate to start out legal proceedings towards Mourinho, citing “racist statements,” and filed complaints with soccer’s governing our bodies.
A day later, Fenerbahce rejected the accusation, saying the remarks had nothing to do with racism and had been “intentionally taken totally out of context and distorted in a deceptive method.”
The membership stated it was planning to take a authorized motion “towards this baseless accusation.”
In a put up on social media platform X, Drogba — who performed below Mourinho at Chelsea in two separate spells — stated he had seen the feedback about his former coach.
“Belief me after I inform you I’ve recognized Jose for 25 years and he isn’t a racist and historical past [past and recent] is there to show it,” Drogba, who’s Black, wrote. “Let’s deal with our video games, help our sensible lions and let’s win the league.”
Drogba added: “How can my ‘Dad’ be a racist. Come on guys.”
The Turkish soccer federation’s disciplinary board is predicted to make an announcement on the incident within the coming days.
