Hugo Broos issues apology amid racism, sexism accusations | OneFootball

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Broos apologizes for perceived racist, sexism comments

Photo: Hugo Broos

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has issued an apology over his comments regarding outgoing Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent, Basia Michaels last Wednesday.

The Belgian mentor lashed out on Mbokazi for reporting to the national team camp late stating, 'I can assure you he's a black guy but will get out of my room as a white guy because that I can't accept'.

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

As a result, a political party, United Democratic Movement (UDM) reported Broos and the South African football Association (SAFA) to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), and the veteran tactician has since broken his silence.

“I'm deeply hurt by what's happened in the recent days and the worst part of that is that my family, my wife, my children, and grandchildren have also suffered. I have played with people of color, coached them, worked with them in Algeria, in Cameroon, and now four years in South Africa,” said Broos.

"You can ask any of them what kind of a man I am. Maybe some will say he's a bad coach, maybe some others will say he's a good coach or maybe they will call me stubborn, but no one will call me a racist.

"When Mbokazi was introduced into the team six months ago by his coach and Pirates we immediately saw his talent. He was rewarded with selection for Bafana Bafana and became a regular player.

"His life changed, and suddenly he had many friends. Some meant well, others tried to take advantage of him. When you attract all that attention so quickly as a young 20-year-old footballer you need guidance from people who can prevent you from making the wrong decisions.

The former Cameroon boss continued: "The red card against Zimbabwe was one of his poor decisions that made me suspect that their guidance wasn't sufficient. 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 on him, but even more on some people who sent me a strange story to justify his enormous professional error.

"I let my father decide to get the better of me in my response because I saw that things could go wrong. It would be a waste if Mbokazi didn't pursue the career he was destined due to a lack of proper guidance, a guidance he needs as an inexperienced, young, humble, talented player.

"I agree that my choice of words was not the right one and I want to apologize for that, but I never, I repeat, I never wanted to make a racist or sexist comment. I'm neither a racist or sexist. I thank you.