Jose Mourinho hails historic decision by Turkish Super Lig ahead of Istanbul derby – as Galatasaray ‘launch extraordinary appeal to block move’

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has hailed the Turkish Football Federation’s decision to appoint a foreign referee to officiate the the Istanbul derby, but rivals Galatasaray have reportedly attempted to block the move.

The governing body announced earlier this week that Slovenian official Slavko Vincic will take charge of the derby match on Monday.

Vincic, who refereed the Champions League final last season, will become the first foreign official to take charge of a match in the Turkish top flight.

The 45-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2010 and has previously overseen the Europa League final, while he has taken charge of matches in the Greek, Saudi Arabian and United Arab Emirates leagues this season. 

Vincic’s appointment for the match comes amid ongoing rows in Turkish football over refereeing standards, which have included claims of potential bias towards teams.

The Istanbul derby could prove key in the title race with Galatasaray currently six points clear of Fenerbahce at the top of the table.

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will take charge of Fenerbahce’s clash with Galatasaray

Galatasaray have reportedly sought to block the appointment of a foreign official for the match

Mourinho, who has regularly criticised referees in Turkey since taking over as Fenerbahce manager, has welcomed the decision as an important step to boosting ‘credibility’.

‘The decision has been made and he is a top-level referee, I think it is important for credibility,’ Mourinho said, according to Turkish outlet Hurriyet.

‘I am happy with this decision. Although it may not seem like it sometimes, I am a person who wants fair play. We want to win, they want to win. I hope it will be a big match.’

Galatasaray have reportedly attempted to block Vincic’s appointment for the match by lodging an appeal.

The league leaders issued a statement accusing the TFF of ‘inconsistencies’ and claimed they have gone back on a promise not to appoint foreign officials to take charge of matches.

In a statement, the club called for the federation to make a preliminary list of domestic referees for the match and claimed the appointment of a foreign official was aimed at trying to ‘achieve a result in favour of the opponent’.

‘We invite the Turkish sports community to unite against this planned and organised evil, this attempt to pit brother against brother,’ a club statement read.

Our only request from our fans is to remain calm in the face of these provocations and devote all their energy to supporting our team on the field. Justice will surely prevail, and in the end, good will win.

Vincic refereed last season’s Champions League final and oversaw a play-off tie this week

Mourinho claimed the appointment was important for ‘credibility’ in the Turkish top flight

Galatasaray will head into the match top of the table, six points clear of rivals Fenerbahce

‘We are warning the Turkish Football Federation for the last time that if they are truly the boss of football, they should bring justice to all clubs instead of doing whatever someone wants.

‘Stop being a federation of a club, stop creating more chaos, do what is necessary for Turkish football.’

TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu defended the move on Friday, insisting the organisation ‘continues to be equal’.

‘I have no enmity with Galatasaray, I have no enmity with anyone. I have never had a problem with Galatasaray and I will never have one,’ he told reporters.

‘We have separated individuals and institutions. If those who expect privileges are bothered, that is not my problem. 

‘We will continue to be equal. I am not saying this for Galatasaray, it is like this in general.’

Haciosmanoglu explained the federation’s refereeing body had approached bodies in England, Spain, Germany, Holland, France, Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia and Romania over the potential to secure a referee for the match.

He confirmed the organisation had been left with the choice of a Bosnian or Slovenian official, with the latter chosen due to Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko playing for Fenerbahce. 

Jose Mourinho sparked the war of words with Mauro Icardi this month with a post on Instagram

Galatasaray star Icardi hit back at Mourinho by calling him ‘the crying one’ on his Instagram

The decision comes just weeks after Mourinho engaged in a war of words with Galatasaray forward Mauro Icardi, who labelled him the ‘crying one’ in response to a social media post by the Portuguese. 

Mourinho had sparked the clash as he posted on Instagram after Galatasaray’s clash with Adana Demirspor was abandoned when Adana’s players walked off the pitch after 30 minutes in protest at a controversial penalty decision.

The Fenerbahce boss had previously been slapped with a fine in excess of £20,000 and given a one-match ban after he launched into a furious tirade at the Turkish Super Lig and the standard of officiating in November. 

Speaking after a 3-2 win over Trabzonspor, Mourinho said: ‘Nobody abroad wants to watch the Turkish league.

‘Who wants to watch this Turkish league abroad? They have the Premier League, they have the French league, they have the German league, they have the Portuguese league, they have the Dutch league. Why should they see this?

‘It’s too grey. It’s too dark, smells bad. But that’s my job, and I will give everything to my job, to my club.’

Mourinho then hit out at the performance of the match officials in the victory against Trabzonspor, specifically Atilla Karaoglan, who worked on the game as the VAR.

After seeing his side concede two penalties, Mourinho was furious when Karaoglan did not intervene to award Fenerbahce a spot-kick in the 82nd minute after the ball struck the arm of Banza inside the 18-yard box.

Mourinho said: ‘We were in good control, winning 1-0 when Atilla woke up because in the first half he was probably having Turkish tea.

‘The man of the match was Atilla Karaoglan. We didn’t see him but he was the referee. The referee was just a little boy that was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan.’