José Mourinho is suing Turkey for violation of freedom of expression.

José Mourinho is challenging Turkey in the European Court of Human Rights, in a battle that promises to shake the foundations of Turkish and international football. The iconic Portuguese coach has filed a formal complaint against the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), accusing it of violating his fundamental right to freedom of expression during his time at Fenerbahçe.

The issue at hand concerns the sanctions imposed by the TFF at the end of 2024. Mourinho was punished with a one-match suspension and two fines totaling 18,000 euros, due to statements and behaviors deemed unsportsmanlike towards opposing fans and referees. The coach, however, claims that the disciplinary process did not respect basic principles of justice, stating that “the dispute was not resolved by an independent and impartial tribunal” and that the Federation’s decision was never properly communicated to him.

The complaint, filed in March 2025 with the European Court of Human Rights, has already been deemed admissible by the court, which has sent a series of questions to the Turkish Federation to clarify the details of the case. Mourinho demands not only justice but also the defense of the rights of coaches and public figures in sports, in a struggle that could set important precedents for future disciplinary decisions.

José Mourinho, 63, who left Fenerbahçe in August last year after a season and a half, returned to Portugal in September to take over the management of Benfica, replacing Bruno Lage. However, the coach’s future seems already determined: Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, has confirmed that Mourinho will be the next coach of the “merengues” after the club elections, scheduled for Sunday. Marco Silva has been pointed out as the immediate successor at Benfica.

This legal confrontation marks a new chapter in the already controversial and achievement-filled career of the Portuguese coach, who does not seem willing to accept decisions he considers unjust, even if it means facing a national federation in a European court. The coming days will be crucial for the outcome of this battle, which challenges freedom of expression in football and the power of national federations to sanction public figures. Mourinho is fighting not only for his reputation but also for the integrity of the sport itself.

This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).

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