Hugo Broos breaks silence on racism, sexism accusations | OneFootball

Interview

Broos responds to accusations

Photo: Hugo Broos

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has responded to accusations of racism and sexism after lashing out on Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent on Wednesday.

This comes after the outgoing Orlando Pirates defender arrived late to the national team camp, and the furious Belgian mentor said, ‘I can assure you he’s a black guy but he will get out of my room as a white guy because that I can't accept'.

Moreover, Broos went on to question Mbokazi's agent, Basia Michaels, for facilitating a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Chicago Fire, stating, ‘A nice little woman who is his agent and thinks she knows football is doing what many agents are doing’.

Now, the 73-year-old tactician has broken his silence on the accusations, after a political party, United Democratic Movement (UDM), lodged a formal complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

“It is unfortunate that my strong rebuke of the player's conduct and subsequent comments were misinterpreted as racism and sexism. I distance myself from any accusations of racism and sexism,” Broos told the South African Football Association (SAFA).

SAFA came to the defense of the national team coach, stressing that Broos has been nothing but supportive of Mbokazi from the first day he handed him his maiden senior call-up.

“It is mind-boggling that the coach would be described in such a manner towards a player he has consistently supported since selecting him for the first time a few months ago,” SAFA added.