Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has broken his silence regarding the swirling allegations of racism and sexism levelled against him, following controversial remarks made during a recent media briefing.
The SA Football Association [SAFA] issued a statement on Saturday addressing the controversy that erupted after the Belgian coach made highly critical remarks about defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent, Basia Michaels, on Wednesday in Pretoria.
The storm began after Broos voiced his frustration over Mbokazi’s recent transfer from Orlando Pirates to MLS side Chicago Fire FC, coupled with the player’s subsequent late arrival at the national team’s training camp at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, where the squad is currently preparing for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] tournament.
“I will have a chat with him after training, and I can assure you, he’s a black guy and he will leave my room as a white guy,” said Broos, who also referred to Mbokazi’s agent as a “nice little woman who is his agent” while criticising the defender’s move to Chicago Fire FC.
SAFA CLAIMS BROOS’S COMMENTS WERE MISUNDERSTOOD
The coach’s remarks immediately sparked public dismay, leading to formal political action. The United Democratic Movement [UDM] lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission [SAHRC], citing what the party alleges are “racist and sexist remarks” made by the Bafana Bafana coach.
SAFA stated that Broos’s criticism—aimed purely at what he deemed “unprofessional attitude” regarding Mbokazi’s late arrival to the camp and a ‘premature’ push for his transfer overseas—was “misinterpreted and later amplified into unfounded character accusations.”
In the statement by the association, Broos distanced himself from the accusations. “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 accusation of racism and sexism,” the coach said.
SAFA: LANGUAGE BARRIER CAUSED MISUNDERSTANDING OF COACH’S REMARKS
SAFA suggested that a “language barrier contributed to the coach’s frustrations not being fully or clearly conveyed during the interview,” leading to misunderstandings about his true intent.
The organisation stressed that the comments lacked any discriminatory motive. SAFA stated that in the four years Broos has been at the helm of Bafana Bafana, “neither players nor staff have raised any issues related to racism, sexism, or discrimination of any kind.”
Regarding the comment about the agent, SAFA clarified that the remarks were intended to “underscore the importance of football agents prioritising players’ welfare and long-term development over short-term financial gain.”
SAFA has credited Broos’s forthright approach to managing the team, highlighting his role in transforming the national team and building the squad’s current “strength and unity.”
The association went on to reaffirm its complete support for Broos, urging the public to recognise his contribution and rally behind the team ahead of the continental showpiece.
“SAFA, the players and the staff are all fully behind coach Broos, and we are now completely focused on our participation in the AFCON in a few days’ time,” the statement concluded.
RELATED STORY: Bafana Bafana coach taken to the Human Rights Commission