SAFA issues strongly-worded statement after Luc Eymael ‘signing’

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has issued a strongly-worded statement following the news of Chippa United’s imminent appointment of Luc Eymael as head coach.

MUCH CONFUSION AT CHIPPA UNITED

There was much confusion late on Wednesday afternoon when Chilli Boys coach Lehlohonolo Seema was suspended.

Chippa United then issued a statement (see below) confirming the appointment of Belgium’s Eymael.

Shortly thereafter, however, Eymael denied signing with the DStv Premiership club.

Eymael drew ire across Africa earlier this year and was sacked from Tanzania Premier League side Yanga Africans when video emerged on social media where he described the clubs fans as “illiterate” and “monkeys”.

SAFA LEARNT WITH DISMAY ABOUT EYMAEL’S SIGNING

‘The South African Football Association has learnt with dismay the news of the appointment of the unrepentant racist, Luc Eymael, as head coach of Chippa United FC,’ read a SAFA statement.

‘In July this year, SAFA joined the rest of the progressive world in condemning Eymael after he was fired by Young Africans FC of Tanzania for referring to the club supporters as monkeys and dogs who know nothing about football.

‘We find it deeply offensive that as the global football community is united in solidarity around the Black Lives Matter campaign, Chippa United FC would see it fit to hire such a character to work in the city named after the founding father of the nation, Tata Nelson Mandela, the champion of a world free of racism and other forms of discrimination.

‘SAFA will immediately be writing to the Minister of Home Affairs to express its objection to the granting of a work permit for him. We will also request the Ethics Committees of FIFA and SAFA to charge Mr Eymael as his despicable conduct is a violation of the codes of both bodies.’