Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has come to the defense of José Mourinho amid recent racism allegations, labeling the claims as “a joke” and “baseless.”
In a video statement on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel, who played under Mourinho at Chelsea, rejected the accusations, asserting that Mourinho is not a racist. He emphasized, “For them to label our African dad (José Mourinho) a racist, that’s a complete joke.”
Mikel characterized Mourinho as someone who treats everyone fairly and questioned the motivations behind such allegations, stating, “This is politics in football in Turkey. José Mourinho is somebody that loves everybody. A beautiful, beautiful human being you can ever meet.” He noted Mourinho’s positive relationships with players, including Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, saying, “He loved us as his own children. This situation is baseless.”
The discussion surrounding Mourinho’s alleged remarks continues to generate significant reactions, especially among Turkish football enthusiasts.
Former Ivorian striker Didier Drogba also expressed support for Mourinho, dismissing the racism claims. Sharing his thoughts, Drogba urged Galatasaray fans to rally behind their team instead. He stated, “Trust me when I tell you I have known José for 25 years, and he is not a racist. History is there to prove it.” He encouraged fans to focus on supporting their team as they strive for league victory.
As José Mourinho, who recently became the head coach of Fenerbahçe, faces these allegations, he has yet to release an official statement. Meanwhile, support from his former players continues to grow amid the ongoing controversy.
