BROOS ACCUSED OF RACISM IN MBOKAZI ROW

AS THE storm surrounding Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos intensifies, Safa has come to his defence.

The controversy ignited earlier last week after Broos made comments regarding 20-year-old Orlando Pirates midfielder Mbekezeli Mbokazi, which some critics have interpreted through the lens of racism and sexism.

These allegations were sparked by remarks Broos made at a press conference last Wednesday, prompting a formal complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission from the United Democratic Movement (UDM).

At the heart of the controversy was an incident involving Mbokazi’s late arrival to the team’s camp, during which Broos stated: “I can assure you he is a Black guy, but he will come out of my room as a white guy, because that I can’t accept.”

This phrasing has drawn significant scrutiny for its implications and has been labelled as racially charged by UDM secretary-general Bongani Msomi. After Broos spoke with Mbokazi, team management settled the matter, and Mbokazi was very much a “happy chappie” at the training camp.

Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has since confirmed that the disciplinary issue involving Mbokazi has been quickly resolved internally. Following the uproar, Safa has defended Broos, explaining that his comments were misunderstood.

The association maintains that his frustrations were solely about the player’s professional behaviour and did not carry any discriminatory intentions.

“It is mind-boggling that the coach would be described in such a manner,” Safa stated.

Safa further explained that Broos’ remark about Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, was intended to underscore the importance of prioritising athletes’ welfare and development over immediate financial interests.

He said of Mbokazi’s move to the US: “A nice little woman who is his agent and thinks she knows football is doing what many agents are doing now. They are saying ‘How much [geld] can I get?’”

Safa acknowledged the potential for a language barrier contributing to the misunderstanding of Broos’ intended meaning, stating: “The nuances of his criticism might not have been effectively communicated.”