'They were not clever' — Mourinho finally opens up on racism allegations against Osimhen's club

Jose Mourinho has finally cleared the air on the incident of alleged racism in the Istanbul derby last week.

Galatasaray accused the Special One of making racist remarks, following his comments about their bench "jumping like monkeys".

Mourinho was initially handed a four-game touchline ban and a £35,000 fine, but the punishment was later reduced to two matches and £12,200.

The Portuguese tactician has maintained that his remarks were not racist and believes Galatasaray's complaints have actually backfired.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "They were not clever in the way they attacked me, because they didn't know my past.

"They didn't know my connections with Africa, with African people and African players and African charities. So instead of going against me, I think it boomeranged and went against them."

"Everyone knows who I am as a person. Everybody knows my bad qualities, but that is not one of my bad qualities. Exactly the opposite!

"The most important thing is I know who I am, and the attack accusing racism was a bad choice."

Mourinho also thanked those who supported him, including his former players.

"Probably even from people who don't like me the support was there," he said.

"I thank the people who didn't have a problem to speak [out], especially my boys, my former players. They were a very important voice."

Fenerbahce are four points off Galatasaray in the race for the Turkish League title, and Mourinho's men travel to Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday before welcoming Samsunspor on Sunday.