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Former Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has filed an application against Türkiye before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), challenging disciplinary sanctions imposed on him during his time in the Turkish Super Lig.
According to a notice published on the ECHR's website on June 1, the Strasbourg-based court has accepted the application for review and formally requested observations from the Turkish government.
Türkiye has up to six months to submit its response.
The case stems from sanctions imposed by the Turkish Football Federation's Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) following the comments Mourinho made after a match against Trabzonspor in November 2024.
"The application concerns disciplinary sanctions imposed on the applicant by the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF)," the court notice said.
The Portuguese coach received a dressing-room ban and fines totaling hundreds of thousands of Turkish liras.
After the Turkish Football Federation's Arbitration Board upheld the sanctions, Mourinho took the case to the ECHR.
In his application, Mourinho argues that Turkish football disciplinary bodies lack independence and that the sanctions violated his right to freedom of expression.
He also claims that the reasoned decision in his case was not properly served to him, depriving him of his right to a fair trial.
The ECHR's decision to communicate the case to the Turkish government does not indicate any judgment on the merits of the complaint but marks the beginning of the court's examination process.
Mourinho was appointed head coach of Fenerbahce in 2024 and left the club in August 2025.
During his tenure, he managed 62 matches and recorded a points-per-game average of 2.02.
He is currently managing Benfica. Reports have also linked Mourinho with a potential return to Real Madrid should club president Florentino Perez secure another term in office.
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