Notorious Rant – Action Demanded by Africans
July 31, 2020
The Great Sacrifice (Part One)
July 31, 2020
By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (July 28th 2020)
SAFA Responds
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has responded to yesterday’s call from the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA) President, Gregory Mashile, to demand stricter standards for foreign coaches to obtain work permits, and for contracts to include an anti-racism clause.
SAFA issued a statement calling on the government to refuse Luc Eymael, the Belgian coach who was sacked by Yanga SC yesterday for now infamous ‘dogs and monkeys’ rant a work permit in the future. SAFA also expressed solidarity to the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) and Yanga and pledged to write to both the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
SAFA’s Statement
“SAFA has noted with dismay the despicable conduct of coach Luc Eymael in the Tanzanian Premier League. We want to express our solidarity and support for the Tanzania FA and the Yanga FC. Our own history, principles and beliefs compels us to reject racism in all its forms. This conduct militates against Nelson Mandela’s understanding of the role of sport in our society that it has the power to change the world, power to inspire and unite people in a way that little else does. SAFA therefore has decided on the following steps: • To direct a letter to the Minister of Sports to bring this matter to his attention, with SAFA stated position that we will raise objection to any consideration of granting coach Eymael a work permit in South Africa in future. • Bring this matter to the attention of world football governing body, FIFA as well as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) • Write a letter of solidarity and support to the Tanzania FA and to assure them of our full cooperation on any remedial steps they may consider It is further unfortunate that this situation comes in the wake of the global campaign of Black Lives Matter. Africa has the bitter experience of its people being captured and taken as slaves on other continents. South African football too has moved from the history of a divided past of having various national football bodies formed on racial lines under apartheid to a single non-racial united Association. We therefore support SACFA and thank them that coaches themselves have taken a strong stand against racists and devious behaviour of some fellow coaches on the continent.”
