Jose Mourinho has been handed a three-match suspension by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following an incident in which he pinched the nose of Okan Buruk, the head coach of Galatasaray, after Fenerbahce's defeat in the Turkish Super Cup.

The altercation took place shortly after the match had ended, when Mourinho approached Buruk from behind and pinched his nose. This unexpected action left Buruk momentarily stunned and contributed to the escalation of tensions on the pitch. The footage of the incident quickly spread across social media, gaining widespread attention and sparking public outcry.

Following the release of the video, the TFF launched an investigation into the matter. Initially, there were reports suggesting that Mourinho could face a ban of between five to ten matches, but after further examination of the events, including claims that Buruk had provoked Mourinho, the TFF decided to impose a three-match ban on the Fenerbahce manager instead.

This marks Mourinho's second suspension of 2025, having already served a four-match ban earlier in the year due to allegations that he made racist remarks toward Galatasaray's bench during a previous fixture. This recent suspension has further intensified the scrutiny on his leadership at Fenerbahce, who are currently in the midst of a tight race for the Super Lig title.

In addition to Mourinho's ban, the TFF also took disciplinary action against players who were involved in the post-match altercation. Baris Alper Yılmaz and Kerem Demirbay of Galatasaray, along with Fenerbahce's Fred, were each handed three-match suspensions, while Fenerbahce's Mert Hakan received a one-match ban. These penalties were imposed to address the disorder that unfolded following the Super Cup final, which added more tension between the two clubs.

Mourinho’s three-match suspension will leave him sidelined for several important fixtures, including potential high-stakes games against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor, and Kayserispor. Fenerbahce’s current position in the Super Lig standings is precarious, as they trail Galatasaray by six points, though they do have a game in hand. The upcoming matches could be critical for Fenerbahce’s title aspirations, making Mourinho’s absence a significant setback for the team.

The ban adds further pressure to Mourinho’s time in Turkey as Fenerbahce continue their quest to secure their first league title since 2014. Despite the setback, Mourinho and the club will be hoping to maintain their momentum and challenge for the championship without the presence of their manager on the sidelines.