Fenerbahce coach faces heavy punishment for pinching Galatasaray colleague Okan Buruk’s nose.

After losing 1-2 to Galatasaray in the National Cup on the evening of April 2, Mourinho suddenly approached from behind and pinched Buruk’s nose, causing his opponent to fall to the ground and leading to a major brawl.

According to disciplinary regulations, Mourinho is likely to be banned from coaching for one to three matches if the nose pinching is considered “unsportsmanlike”. However, if he is found guilty of “attacking another person”, the Portuguese coach could be banned from coaching for five to 10 matches, or 45 to 90 days.

Fenerbahce have nine matches left in the Turkish championship. Therefore, if heavily punished, Mourinho will not be able to appear on the coaching bench until the end of the season. The punishment will be a heavy blow to Fenerbahce, who are currently ranked second, six points behind Galatasaray and have played one match less.

Mourinho has been a source of tension between the two clubs in recent times. In February, after the derby ended 0-0, the “Special One” said that Galatasaray members sat on the sidelines “jumping like monkeys” to demand the referee make a decision in their favour. Galatasaray then accused Mourinho of racism, while he sued.

The feud escalated after the Turkish Cup quarter-final on the evening of April 2, when Galatasaray posted an animated clip showing Mourinho complaining and crying over the defeat, before waking up in a psychiatric ward.

Fenerbahce’s only hope of winning the title this season is in the Turkish championship. Before that, Mourinho’s team lost to Lille in the Champions League qualifying round and Rangers in the Europa League round of 16.