By Abigail Philip David
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has strongly defended his former coach, José Mourinho, amid allegations of racism against the Portuguese manager.
Drogba, who played under Mourinho at Chelsea, dismissed the accusations in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, emphasizing that he has known Mourinho for 25 years and can vouch for his character.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding Mourinho’s alleged comments, Drogba urged Galatasaray fans to focus on supporting their team rather than fueling the debate.
“Dear @GalatasaraySK, you know how proud I was to wear the yellow and red jersey and my love for the most decorated club in Turkey!!” Drogba wrote.
“We all know how passionate and heated rivalries can be, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience it. I’ve seen the recent comments about José Mourinho. Trust me when I tell you I have known José for 25 years, and he is not a racist. History (past and recent) is there to prove it.
“Let’s focus on our games, support our brilliant Lions, and let’s win the league to get close to our five stars. How can my ‘Dad’ be a racist?” he added.
Mourinho, who recently took charge of Fenerbahçe, has been at the centre of controversy over alleged remarks that some interpreted as racially insensitive. The accusations have triggered strong reactions, particularly among rival fans in Turkey.
Drogba, who won multiple titles under Mourinho at Chelsea, is the latest high-profile figure to come to the defence of the former Real Madrid and Manchester United manager.
As tensions continue to rise over the allegations, Mourinho has yet to release an official statement addressing the claims.
