When José Mourinho was unveiled as the new head coach of Fenerbahçe, tens of thousands of fans filled the club’s stadium in Istanbul, chanting his name and lighting flares in anticipation of a new era. But behind the celebrations, a darker narrative looms—one of deep-rooted conspiracy theories that have plagued Turkish football, particularly involving Fenerbahçe, for over a decade.
A Decade-Long Drought Fueled by Conspiracy?
Fenerbahçe, one of Turkey’s “Big Three” Istanbul clubs, has not won a league title in 10 years. Fans and officials alike believe that this decade-long drought is not just the result of bad luck or poor performance but the product of a long-running conspiracy against the club. This theory suggests that everyone from politicians and football officials to media outlets has been working against Fenerbahçe, contributing to their failures on the pitch.
The seeds of this belief were sown in 2010 when Fenerbahçe, along with other clubs, was accused of match-fixing. The scandal rocked Turkish football and led to Fenerbahçe being banned from European competition for two seasons. The club narrowly won the 2010-2011 league title, but the accusations tarnished their victory and fueled tensions with rivals like Trabzonspor, who believed they were the rightful champions.
A Plot by Gülenists?
The match-fixing charges led to the wrongful imprisonment of several Fenerbahçe officials, including then-president Aziz Yıldırım, who was sentenced to six years in jail. However, in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in 2016, the truth behind the scandal began to unravel. It was revealed that the prosecutors leading the case were later accused of being Gülenists—followers of the exiled Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen. According to new indictments, these prosecutors fabricated evidence as part of a broader plot to seize control of the club. In 2020, Yıldırım and others were finally cleared of all wrongdoing, but the damage had already been done, leaving Fenerbahçe’s fanbase deeply paranoid and convinced of a pervasive conspiracy against their club.
Media Bias and the Power of Perception
The club’s grievances extend beyond the legal system. Fenerbahçe fans and officials have long accused the media, particularly the broadcaster beIN Sports, of bias against their team. The club believes that beIN, allegedly run by prominent Galatasaray fans, has manipulated camera angles and VAR decisions to make Fenerbahçe look bad. One incident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when crowd noise had to be piped into empty stadiums, featured an offensive chant against Fenerbahçe. The timing of beIN’s apology—released at 19:
05, the year Galatasaray was founded—only added to Fenerbahçe’s suspicions.
In response, Fenerbahçe launched a campaign against the broadcaster, banning beIN from press conferences and adopting the slogan “beFAIR” on their training shirts. This campaign reflects the club’s ongoing struggle against what they perceive as an unfair system that has been working against them for years.
Enter Mourinho: A Match Made in Heaven?
The appointment of José Mourinho as Fenerbahçe’s new coach has only added to the intrigue. Known for his success on the pitch, Mourinho is equally famous for his involvement in numerous controversies and his penchant for conspiracy theories. Throughout his career, he has accused broadcasters, football federations, and even opponents of conspiring against him and his teams. This reputation makes him a fitting figurehead for a club that sees itself as a victim of a grand conspiracy.
Mourinho’s arrival at Fenerbahçe comes at a time of great unrest in Turkish football. The 2023-2024 season was marred by violence and controversy, including attacks on referees and players, as well as a near-withdrawal from the league by Fenerbahçe in protest of perceived injustices. As the club prepares for the 2024-2025 season, the combination of Mourinho’s combative style and Fenerbahçe’s siege mentality is likely to make for an explosive campaign.
The Road Ahead
As Fenerbahçe embarks on a new chapter under Mourinho’s leadership, the club’s fans remain hopeful that their long wait for a title will soon be over. But the conspiracy theories that have gripped the club for the past decade show no signs of fading away. Whether Mourinho can lead Fenerbahçe to glory—or whether the club’s struggles will continue amid ongoing controversies—remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the story of Fenerbahçe and its battles, both real and imagined, will continue to captivate Turkish football for years to come.
