Jose Mourinho was 'triggered' by a rival's gesture in fiery Istanbul derby - before Galatasaray accused Fenerbahce boss of 'racist comments'

Jose Mourinho was reportedly enraged by a rival player's gesture in the controversial Istanbul derby which ended with him being accused of racism on Monday night.

His Fenerbahce side contested an ill-tempered clash at Galatasaray which finished 0-0 and with seven yellow cards dished out to players.

The game was briefly interrupted when a barrage of flares was launched in the stands - despite strict security measures and a reported 30,000 police officers on duty across the night.

In the aftermath, Mourinho claimed that everyone on Galatasaray's bench 'was jumping like monkeys', a comment which resulted in the club threatening legal action.

The Portuguese had reportedly become incandescent around 30 minutes into the match when Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen fell in the box after a push and unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty.

Osimhen then turned to Mourinho with a 'silence' gesture, triggering conflict between Mourinho and rival manager Okan Buruk, according to the Evening Standard. Both managers were booked.

Jose Mourinho was reportedly angered by a gesture made by Victor Osimhen on Monday night

The Galatasaray striker had made a 'silence' gesture to the Fenerbahce boss after appealing for a penalty, with Mourinho previously accusing him of being a diver

Galatasaray went on to accuse Mourinho of 'racist comments' after he said their bench had been 'jumping like monkeys'

Mourinho and Osimhen have history from their rivalry in Italy. Earlier this season, in an interview with HT Spor, he accused the striker of 'diving too much'. He had managed Roma while Osimhen was at Napoli, who are still his parent club.

Clashes between Turkey's two biggest clubs will always be febrile and Monday night was no different, with Galatasaray leading their rivals by six points.

The players refused to shake hands before kick-off.

All the controversy in the build-up to and in the aftermath of the clash centred around Mourinho.

In the build-up to the match, the Portuguese, who has regularly criticised referees in Turkey since becoming Fenerbahce manager, welcomed the Turkish Football Federation's decision to appoint a foreign referee to officiate.

After the match, Mourinho praised referee Vincic's performance - saying things would have been different with a Turkish official. He then said that the home team's bench were 'jumping like monkeys'.

'I must also thank the referee,' said the former Man United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss.

'He had enough honesty to manage this match well. They tried to get a yellow card for our 18-year-old player from the first minute, but the referee managed the game well.'

The Turkish league leaders have threatened legal action against the Portuguese manager

There was trouble in Istanbul despite a reported 30,000 police officers on duty at the game

The match, which finished 0-0, was interrupted after a raft of flares were thrown in the stands

The Turkish Football Federation appointed a foreign ref, Slovenian Slavko Vincic, for the clash

Jose Mourinho has regularly criticised referees in Turkey since becoming Fenerbahce boss

'Everyone on the opponent's bench was jumping like monkeys. If it were a Turkish referee, they would have immediately given the card, and I would have had to take the player off in a minute.'

And, in response to Mourinho's comments, Galatasaray released a damning statement, accompanied by a #SayNoToRacism tag.

'Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people,' it read.

'Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.

'We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.

'Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce - an institution professing to uphold “exemplary moral values” - in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager. #SayNoToRacism.'

Osimhen shared Galatasaray's post on his Instagram story after the game.

Mourinho is yet to respond to the allegations made against him.