Controversial Belgian coach splits SA football

JOHANNESBURG. — The decision by South African football authorities to clear a Belgian coach, accused of calling Africans “monkeys’’ and ‘’dogs’’ during his time in Tanzania, has divided the game in the Rainbow Nation.

Luc Eymael was found not guilty of racism by the SAFA Ethics Committee this week, clearing the path for him to return to coach in the country.

He has coached Black Leopards, Free State Stars and Polokwane City in the past.

Ethics committee chairperson Judge Sisi Khampepe, sitting with Judge Ronnie Pillay and attorney Candylee de Sousa did not find any evidence pinning Eymael to making any racist remarks.

The Belgian had been accused of calling fans of Tanzania giants, Young Africans, “monkeys” and “dogs.”

An audio suggesting he made those utterances circulated, leading to SAFA blocking the coach from securing employment in South Africa.

“The recording [Exhibit A] upon which Mr Abercrombie [chairperson of the Integrity Committee] bases his case on is also problematic,” read part of the ruling.

“He conceded that despite Mr Eymael’s consistent assertion that the recording is false, and is a product of manipulation of another recording so as to change the meaning of the latter, no investigation was conducted into the authenticity of the said recording, he seeks the committee to rely on.”

The Ethics Committee dismissed the audio recording purporting the racist remarks.

“This recording consequently suffers serious deficiencies,” further read the ruling.

“There is furthermore no evidence to explain why this evidence could or should be relied upon. The suggestion that we do so because of the logical sequence of events referred to is unconvincing and therefore cannot serve to prove any case against Mr Eymael.

“Accordingly, there is no evidence to implicate Mr Eymael in any alleged offensive act and utterance. Consequently, this recording equally can’t be relied upon.

“In the circumstances, the committee is unable to find that any derogatory, insulting or racist remarks were spoken by Mr Eymael. In the result, Mr Luc Eymael is exonerated from any alleged wrongdoing.”

Eymael was appointed Chippa United coach twice but the allegations still haunted him, leading to his loss of employment.

South African politicians also objected to him being hired in the country.

Despite struggling to find work in South Africa, Eymael, however, managed to have a short stint at Stade Tunisien.

He was then sacked by the Tunisian side after just two months in charge.

Former Chippa United coach, Dan Malesela, has questioned SAFA’s decision to allow Eymael to work in South Africa again.

“I’m not too sure what is happening but decisions are made by people, so if they’ve decided that, it’s fine,” Malesela told KickOff. com. “Who am I not to forgive a person, but this whole thing is too deep you know. I’m very sensitive to anything that involves racism.

“I guess I’m not in a position to judge or even not to forgive but, you know, sometimes we as South Africans forgive too much. “I don’t know what the reception of the country will be, knowing where we come from it’s going to be a difficult thing for him to relate to anyone I guess, and I’m not sure.

‘’Maybe, other people will look at this differently. “There’s also an issue whereby this man had an issue with Steve Khompela when he was at Kaizer Chiefs. So, it’s like somebody who wants to be in South Africa by hook or crook. I probably would have given up a long time ago, if I was him.

“Why he is so obsessed with our country is something else. If he is going to stay in the country, what is so special that he is bringing to the country?