The South Africa Football Association (SAFA) has issued a statement indicating that they will object the granting of work permit to Chippa United’s newly appointed coach Lucy Eymael.
The Belgian was announced as the new Chilli Boys gaffer on Wednesday following the sacking of Lehlohonolo Simon Seema after a dreadful series of poor results.
Eymael was previously in charge of Free States Stars and Polokwane City in South Africa, before moving to Tanzania where he was appointed as Yanga manager. He was shown the door at the Vodacom Mainland Premier League in July after his racial tirade against the conditions in the country and the club’s fans went viral on social media.
After his sack SAFA has taken a dramatic stance to show solidarity to the Tanzanian FA, who sent a formal complaint to FIFA.
However, Eymael found his way back to South Africa on Wednesday after Chippa United released a statement confirming his appointment, forcing SAFA to announce their stand.
“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,” said the Association.
“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.”
Earlier on, South African Football Coaches Association president Gregory Mashilo expressed his disappointed at the Eastern Cape club’s decision, which he feels is disrespectful to South Africans.
“I don’t understand why Chippa United hired him. I’m disappointed in their management and it shows disrespect to South Africans.”
