Mourinho takes Turkish football ban to European Court of Human Rights

José Mourinho has escalated his dispute with Turkish football authorities to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which confirmed on 1 June that it has accepted his application and requested observations from the Turkish government.

The 63-year-old is challenging a 600,000 Turkish lira (£9,705) fine and a one-match ban from the dressing room and bench area, both imposed by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in November 2024. The federation sanctioned Mourinho for alleged unsportsmanlike conduct towards rival supporters during a match and for subsequent press comments critical of refereeing standards.

In his complaint to the Strasbourg-based court, Mourinho argues that his right to a fair trial was breached because the TFF’s disciplinary and arbitration committees lack independence from the federation’s president and board of directors. He also alleges a violation of his right to a reasoned decision, claiming the federation never provided formal justification for its verdict, and contends the penalties unlawfully punished him for exercising his right to free speech.

The ECHR has asked Turkish authorities to address two central questions: whether the football panels constituted an independent and impartial tribunal, and whether they appropriately balanced Mourinho’s right to free expression against the federation’s interests.

Mourinho left Fenerbahçe after the club’s Champions League play-off defeat in August 2024 and subsequently joined Portuguese club Benfica. He guided them through an unbeaten domestic season, though that record was only enough for third place in the Primeira Liga behind Porto and Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese coach has since been heavily linked with a return to Real Madrid this summer, with Marco Silva reported to be in line to succeed him at Benfica after departing Fulham. Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey before later taking charge of Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma, where he won the UEFA Conference League in 2022.