Jose Mourinho launches complaint to European Court of Human Rights over Turkish football fine

Jose Mourinho has launched a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over disciplinary measures handed down during his spell in charge of Fenerbahce.

The ECHR confirmed on June 1 it had accepted the Portuguese manager's application and requested the Turkish Government provide its observations on the matter.

Mourinho is challenging a 600,000 Turkish lira (£9,705) penalty, alongside a one-match suspension barring him from both the dugout and changing room facilities.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) imposed these sanctions in November 2024, citing alleged unsportsmanlike behaviour directed at opposition supporters and critical remarks about officiating standards.

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The 63-year-old's legal challenge centres on several alleged violations of his fundamental rights.

Mourinho contends the TFF's disciplinary and arbitration bodies cannot be considered truly independent, given their ties to the federation's leadership structure.

His submission also argues authorities failed to deliver a properly justified ruling, denying him the right to a reasoned decision.

The court has now posed questions to Turkish authorities regarding whether these panels met standards of independence and impartiality and whether his speech rights were appropriately weighed against the federation's regulatory interests.

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Mourinho departed the Istanbul club following their Champions League qualifying exit last August, taking charge of Benfica.

He led them to an unbeaten campaign in the league but was only able to secure a third-place finish.

The Portuguese featured in a video yesterday, saying "yes" to becoming manager of Real Madrid if the club's president, Florentino Perez, wins the elections.

In a short piece of footage, Mourinho appeared in a Real Madrid shirt, saying "si" to the camera.

The footage then brought up the wording "Vota Florentino 2026", translating to "Vote Florentino" with background music of a woman humming the club's theme song, "Hala Madrid".

Mourinho has signed a three-year deal to become the new Real Madrid manager and will be officially unveiled on June 7 if Perez wins the election.

He has left his role at Benfica after leading them to an unbeaten league campaign and a third-place finish, with Marco Silva taking over following his departure from Fulham.

Mourinho managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

This season has been one to forget for Real, ending their campaign with no trophies and falling to a 2-0 defeat against Barcelona in El Clasico, which won their rivals the league.

Mourinho's first taste of success came at Porto, where he was in charge from 2002 to 2004.

The Portuguese won the club's second Champions League in 2004, despite being underdogs throughout a spectacular campaign.

The victories put his name on the map and earned him a move to Chelsea, where he labelled himself "The Special One".

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