'What are people afraid of in this country?!' - Jose Mourinho calls on Turkish media to 'speak the truth' about 'toxic' Super Lig as Fenerbahce boss launches extraordinary rant against referees after 'strange' win over Hatayspor

After Fenerbahce's 2-1 win on Sunday, manager Mourinho went on an extraordinary rant against the Super Lig's referees and the division itself. He also asked of the Turkish media, "What are the people afraid of in this country?"

He told reporters: "We played well. We dominated the match. We created clear positions. We couldn't pass the ball in positions we called half-chances. Their goalkeeper was great. We lost the ball in the goals we missed. It's strange that this match ended 2-1. This match could have been 6-7-8. I'm happy with the game but not because of the opportunities we missed.

"My players did their best. We worked hard for 9 days. We achieved a clear victory. If the opponent's colours were different, they could have been down to 8 players. We know the 'toxic' league we play in. They know how to play against us, how to play against the opponent. There should have been 5 reds in Eyüp and this match. This is the situation. Our players and our opponents know this. We have to continue on our way.

"Why are you [the Turkish media] hiding the truth? What are people afraid of in this country? What are you afraid of? I know you are a journalist, I could be a journalist too, okay, but what are you afraid of? Is the point difference due to the football played? Speak the truth. Don't ask me!'"

Mourinho has frequently grabbed the headlines since taking over at Fenerbahce last summer. But for all his rantings and ravings, his team are second in the Super Lig - eight points behind defending champions Galatasaray.

Mourinho's Fenerbahce side are in Turkish Cup action on Thursday away to Kasimpasa, before travelling to Konyaspor in the league four days later.