Turkish Football Rocked By Disciplinary Board Resignations Amid Leaked WhatsApp Scandal Involving Mourinho’s Fenerbache.
In a dramatic turn of events, the President and entire board of Turkey’s Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) have resigned following the emergence of leaked WhatsApp messages that revealed apparent bias against Fenerbahçe and their manager, José Mourinho. The news, first reported by Ajansspor, has sent shockwaves through Turkish football, raising serious questions about the integrity of the sport’s governing body.
The leaked messages, which surfaced on 17 June 2025, allegedly showed PFDK members mocking Fenerbahçe and expressing pro-Galatasaray sentiments. One message reportedly stated, “Too much mercy shown to Mourinho—next season we’ll settle the score,” while another taunted, “Fener ağlama” (Don’t cry Fener!). Such comments have fuelled long-standing allegations by Fenerbahçe of systemic bias within the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), a narrative that Mourinho has vocally supported since joining the club in June 2024.
The scandal erupted after journalist Tahir Kum exposed the WhatsApp conversations, prompting immediate backlash. Fenerbahçe fans, already frustrated by what they perceive as unfair treatment, pointed to the messages as evidence of a conspiracy against their club. The leaked chats included references to Galatasaray’s founding year (1905) and derogatory remarks about Mourinho, further intensifying the controversy.
Mourinho, no stranger to controversy, has repeatedly criticised Turkish football’s officiating standards. Following a 3-2 win over Trabzonspor in November 2024, he described the league as “grey” and “smelling bad,” accusing officials of bias against Fenerbahçe. His comments led to a one-match ban and a fine of 900,000 Turkish lira (£19,600) for questioning referee impartiality. The latest revelations appear to vindicate his claims, with fans and pundits alike noting his prescience. “Mourinho was right. Smells bad,” one supporter remarked on social media.
The resignations mark a significant moment for Turkish football, which has been plagued by allegations of corruption and favouritism. Fenerbahçe, who haven’t won the Süper Lig since 2014, have long claimed they’ve been unfairly targeted, citing incidents like the 2011 match-fixing scandal and a 2015 bus shooting. The club’s vice-president, Acun Ilicali, has previously called for reforms in referee selection, highlighting the lack of transparency compared to systems in England.
Galatasaray, the current league leaders, have dismissed the allegations of favouritism, with some fans accusing Fenerbahçe of pushing a propaganda narrative. However, the leaked messages have put the TFF under intense scrutiny, with calls for a thorough investigation into the PFDK’s conduct. Critics argue that resignation alone is insufficient, with one X post stating, “Istifa bir ödüldür! Yargılanmaları gerek!” (Resignation is a reward! They should be prosecuted!).
The TFF has yet to announce replacements for the PFDK board or outline steps to address the scandal. Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe have demanded a full investigation, with the club reportedly considering legal action to address what they describe as an “attack on their personal rights.”
As Turkish football grapples with this latest crisis, the spotlight remains on Mourinho, whose outspoken nature continues to polarise opinion. Whether this scandal will lead to meaningful reform or deepen the divisions within the sport remains to be seen. For now, the resignations have given Fenerbahçe and their supporters a sense of vindication in their ongoing battle against perceived injustice.