Turkish disciplinary chief resigns after leaked messages about Jose Mourinho

Turkish disciplinary chief Celal Nuri Demirturk has resigned after leaked text messages about Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho were publicly exposed.

Demirturk was expected to resign as the chairman of the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee after what Turkish giants Fenerbachce describe as conduct that “clearly violates the principle of impartiality”, according to Sky Sports reports last week.

The outcome of the report was confirmed on Monday, with Basbug Pinarbasi appointed as chairman of the PFDK (Professional Football Disciplinary Committee) to assume his place.

The verdict comes after what Fenerbahce called “hostile” statements about Mourinho in a leaked WhatsApp conversation, allegedly between committee members. The TFF has been approached for comment, but no response has been received yet.

The incident also raises more questions about other alleged internal exchanges, which, they say, suggest a bias towards their rivals, Galatasaray.

Fenerbahce say the comments “clearly violate the principle of impartiality”. They went on to say: “Our club has made an official application to the Turkish Football Federation in response to the correspondence that has been made public and is claimed to belong to members of the Professional Football Disciplinary Board.

“We believe that this hostile mentality, which clearly violates the principle of impartiality and is based on showdowns and revenge, has no place in Turkish sports.

“The fact that members of one of the most important boards responsible for establishing justice in Turkish football make such statements not only renders the concept of ‘discipline’ dysfunctional but also constitutes a clear attack on the principles of impartiality and equality in sports.

“As Fenerbahce Sports Club, we will be following up on the issue and will continue our struggle for clean football until the end.”

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News and Mourinho, the former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid boss revealed that the said WhatsApp exchange relates to him – for which he was banned for four matches (later reduced to two) in February.

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho had earlier suggested that the Turkish title was pre-determined

“After the derby I got a four-match ban,” Mourinho said. “Then it comes to the public eye that the chief of the disciplinary committee is celebrating among friends in a Galatasaray shirt.

“It was exposed on social media. Then my ban of four matches is immediately reduced to two. Only here can you understand the dimension of it”.

Mourinho was punished for allegedly damaging the reputation of Turkish football within hours, but the charge was reversed.

Mourinho, popularly known as “The Special One” and also for his outspoken nature, explained his concerns about the system in Turkish Football months ago.

He claimed that the Turkish title “was decided before the league even started” as Galatasaray closed in on another title triumph.

“We have found a good stability [on the pitch] but everybody knows in this country that, if things don’t change, it is impossible to win [the league title],” he said.

“I raise my voice in defence of my club and in the defence of Turkish football, because this is a beautiful country. But the football here has to be more than this. So, if I can help this club to do something that can change the direction of Turkish football, that would be a fantastic feeling for me.”

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