Who’s Luc Eymael and why do The EFF want him gone from Chippa United?

South African political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, have issued an ultimatum to Port Elizabeth based soccer club Chippa United following the employment of Belgian coach Luc Eymael.

Eymael was fired by Tanzanian giants Yanga Africans for racist behaviour after calling the club’s fans ‘illiterate and monkeys’ last year.

Eymael was dismissed with immediate effect by Young Africans for his comments while the South African Football Association (SAFA) also publicly announced their desire to have the Belgian coach barred from coaching in South Africa.

Young Africans fire Eymael – 27 July 2020

“The Yanga Club leadership is saddened by the rude and discriminatory statements made by its coach Luc Eymael and spread on social media‚” Young Africans confirmed via a statement at the time.

“Some of those statements by coach Luc Eymael [include] accusing the fans that they have no education‚ the people in this country are stupid‚ the fans do not know football … their job is to shout like monkeys and ducks‚ club leaders are zero and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) exists only for Lions.

“Due to these racist statements‚ the Yanga Club leadership has decided to fire Eymael from today [July 27 2020] and ensure he leaves the country as soon as possible.”

SAFA agree to have Luc banned from coaching in Mzansi – 28 July

SAFA confirmed via an official statement that the following steps would be undertaken:

• 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.

SAFA grant Belgium coach permission to return to coaching in South Africa – 12 March 2021

“The association doesn’t grant permission to enter or exit the country, that is the function of the government. Our position is that we do not deny your right to be employed in South Africa or freedom of association,” A SAFA letter to Eymael’s lawyers read.

“Our objection was based purely on the seriousness of the allegations against you which goes against our statutes. But now everything has been clarified and your name is cleared.”

Eymael appointed as Chippa United Technical director – 05 April 2021

“The club has also appointed well-travelled Belgian, Luc Eymael, in a Technical Advisor role where he will play an integral mentorship role for the technical team. Mr. Gwambi, who is from Zwide, has been a part of the club coaching structures since 2015. He was promoted to the senior team having coached in the team’s youth structures and the Diski Challenge team.” – A Chippa United press release read.

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The EFF condemn Eymael’s appointment – 06 April 2021

The EFF Eastern Cape branch have challenged Chippa Mpengesi on his appointed. Julius Malema’s party did not mince their words saying they would ’ensure that he won’t work in our Province’ and called on the club’s owner Chippa Mpengesi to withdraw the appointment of what they call a ’unrepentant racist from Belgium, a country of King Leopold who killed black people in Africa’.

Full EFF statement:

The @EFFSouthAfrica in the Eastern Cape have sent out this stern Statement on the appointment of Luc Eymael at Chippa United. pic.twitter.com/26NzTjvCFg

— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) April 6, 2021

It now remains to be seen whether Chippa United will heed the call of the nation to withdraw the appointment of Luc Eymael. The 61-year-old has already coached Polokwane City, Free State Stars and Black Leopards in the past.