José Mourinho has taken legal action against Turkey at Europe’s highest human rights court, alleging that his right to freedom of expression was violated during his time as manager of Fenerbahce.
The case was filed at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in March 2025, almost six months before the Portuguese coach was dismissed by the Turkish Super Lig side after failing to secure Champions League qualification.
Court documents obtained by AFP on Thursday show that Mourinho challenged the “disciplinary sanctions” imposed on him by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) over alleged “unsportsmanlike conduct”.
The sanctions stemmed from comments he made in November 2024 regarding supporters of a rival club and Turkish referees, which resulted in a match suspension and fines totalling about $21,000.
According to an ECHR document dated May 13, Mourinho argued under Article 6 of the European Convention that “the applicant complains that the dispute in question had not been determined by an independent and impartial tribunal”.
He further claimed that he had “not been notified” of the TFF’s ruling and, under Article 10, argued that his “right to freedom of expression was infringed by the sanctions imposed”.
The court has accepted the application and submitted a number of questions to Turkish authorities regarding the case.
Mourinho arrived in Istanbul in June 2024 to a rapturous reception from Fenerbahce supporters, who hoped he would end the club’s league title drought dating back to 2014.
However, the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager was unable to deliver the championship and left the club 14 months later.
Since departing Turkey, Mourinho has been in charge of Portuguese side Benfica. Reports also suggest he could return to Real Madrid in the coming days, having previously managed the Spanish giants between 2010 and 2013.