Fenerbahce's Mourinho Suspended, Fined for Comments on Turkish Referees

Soccer Football - Europa League - Fenerbahce v Manchester United - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 24, 2024 Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho reacts REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
Soccer Football - Europa League - Fenerbahce v Manchester United - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 24, 2024 Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho reacts REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
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Fenerbahce's Mourinho Suspended, Fined for Comments on Turkish Referees

Soccer Football - Europa League - Fenerbahce v Manchester United - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 24, 2024 Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho reacts REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
Soccer Football - Europa League - Fenerbahce v Manchester United - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 24, 2024 Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho reacts REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo

Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho has been suspended for one match and fined by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for criticising the performance of the Video Assistant Referee after a 3-2 Super Lig win at Trabzonspor.

Trabzonspor were awarded two penalties in the second half following VAR interventions and with the scores level at 2-2 Mourinho was incensed when a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel went unpunished, Reuters reported.

The Portuguese coach suggested VAR official Atilla Karaoglan had missed the incident, adding that the Turkish league "smells bad" and that international fans had no reason to watch the league.

The TFF said in a statement that Mourinho's comments were "contrary to sportsmanship, sports ethics or fair-play understanding".

The governing body added Mourinho's remarks were "intended to damage the reputation of the TFF, to lower the value of Turkish football, to overshadow or discredit the impartiality of referees and other competition officials".

Mourinho was fined 600,000 Turkish lira ($18,000) for unsportsmanlike behavior and 58,500 for his conduct towards the opposing team's fans.

Fenerbahce Vice President Acun Ilicali was also fined for criticising the refereeing in a statement on the club's website.



Al-Zaidi Crowned Champion of Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
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Al-Zaidi Crowned Champion of Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA
Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h - SPA

Executive Director of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Fouad bin Fahd Ibrahim crowned Saudi rider Abdullah Al-Zaidi as the champion of the 120 km Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation Endurance Cup, held in AlUla.

The event was organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the federation.

Al-Zaidi completed the race at an average speed of 22.66 km/h, SPA reported.
The competition featured intense rivalry among riders across its four stages.

In addition to the main event, the program included several associated races, such as an international 140 km race, an international 100 km race, and two local qualifying races of 40 km and 80 km.