Jose Mourinho Takes Freedom Of Speech Fight To Europe’s Top Rights Court

Jose Mourinho has taken his battle with Turkish football authorities to Europe’s highest human rights court, arguing that disciplinary action taken against him while in charge of Fenerbahce violated his right to freedom of expression.

Court documents revealed that the Portuguese manager filed a case at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in March 2025, several months before his departure from the Turkish Super Lig side.

The complaint centres on sanctions imposed by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following comments Mourinho made in November 2024.

The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss was punished for what the federation described as “unsportsmanlike conduct” after remarks concerning supporters of a rival club and Turkish referees.

The penalties included a match suspension and fines worth about $21,000.

According to an ECHR document dated May 13, Mourinho argues under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights that “the dispute in question had not been determined by an independent and impartial tribunal”.

He further claimed he had “not been notified” of the TFF’s decision. Under Article 10 of the convention, Mourinho also maintained that his “right to freedom of expression was infringed by the sanctions imposed”.

The Strasbourg-based court has accepted the complaint and formally requested responses from the Turkish authorities on several issues raised in the application.

Mourinho’s relationship with Fenerbahce began amid huge fanfare when he arrived in Istanbul in June 2024.

Thousands of supporters welcomed the self-styled “Special One”, hoping he would guide the club to its first league title since 2014.

That ambition ultimately went unrealised. Fenerbahce failed to end its long wait for domestic glory and later missed out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League, leading to Mourinho’s dismissal after just 14 months in charge.

Since leaving Turkey, Mourinho has been managing Portuguese giants Benfica. Reports have also linked him with a possible return to Real Madrid, the club he coached between 2010 and 2013.