South Africa men’s soccer head coach Hugo Broos has apologised after comments that were labelled “racially suggestive and sexist” by one of the country’s political parties.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) had, on local radio, called for an investigation to be launched with the country’s Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Friday. Broos made these remarks in a news conference earlier that day after defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi missed his flight to the national team training camp.
“I will have a chat with him after training,” Broos said. “I can assure you he is a Black guy, but he will come out of my room as a white guy.”
The next day, the SAHRC confirmed it was “assessing the complaint”, reminding the public that “hate speech is prohibited”. On Monday, Broos said he wanted to “apologise” as his “choice of words was not the right one”.
“The worst part is my family and my wife, my children and grandchildren, have also suffered,” the Belgian coach said. “I played with people of colour, coached with and worked with them in Nigeria and Cameroon and now for four years in South Africa.
“You can ask any of them what kind of man I am. Maybe some will say he’s a bad coach, maybe some others will say he’s a good coach and maybe they will call me stubborn — but no one will call me a racist.”
Broos did not acknowledge his comments towards Mbokazi’s agent, who he called a “little woman … who thinks she knows football”.
He went on to say that his initial comments on Friday came as he “let my fatherly side get the better of me” after he was “incredibly angry” at Mbokazi, who has made five appearances for the national team since his senior debut in June. After winning the League Cup with Orlando Pirates on December 6, the centre-back moved to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
“When you attract all of that attention so quickly, as a young 20-year-old footballer, you need guidance, some people who can prevent you from making the wrong decisions,” Broos continued.
“The red card against Zimbabwe (in an October World Cup qualifier, Mbokazi was left out of the squad for the following match) was one of his poor decisions that made me suspect that the guidance wasn’t sufficient.
“(Even) worse, he was protected from potential sanctions. When Mbokazi arrived a day too late at the Bafana Bafana camp in preparation for the most important tournament of the continent, AFCON, I was incredibly angry with him, but even more when some people sent me a strange story which justified his enormous professional error.
“It would be a waste if Mbokazi did not pursue the career he was destined for due to a lack of proper guidance; guidance he needs as an inexperienced, young, humble, talented player.”
South Africa kick off their Africa Cup of Nations group stage against Angola on Monday, followed by games against Egypt and Zimbabwe.
