Malawi coach to report Stephen Keshi to FIFA for 'racism'
Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet is to report
coach Stephen Keshi to FIFA after the Nigeria
coach reportedly called him "a white dude
who should go back to Belgium."
Both coaches have been arguing since
Malawi asked FIFA to move next month's
crucial World Cup qualifier from Calabar for
safety reasons.
Saintfiet told BBC Sport, "It is unacceptable
that any person says these words – it is
clear racism. "It is 100% sure that my
lawyers will lodge a complaint with FIFA."
The row erupted earlier this month when
the Football Association of Malawi (FAM)
wrote to FIFA, seeking a new venue for their
7 September, 2013 Group F qualifier away to
the Super Eagles – a match which Malawi,
who trail Nigeria by two points, must win to
progress to the play-offs.
Belgian Saintfiet told local media at the time
that he was concerned about security
because he claims "the UK's Foreign &
Commonwealth Office says it is a no-travel
area."
Keshi hit back shortly afterwards, saying
"this is where we play our games and other
countries are fine with that."
And the Nigerian Football Federation
complied with FIFA's request for a written
guarantee that the game would go ahead
safely.
Keshi has now followed that up with
comments on UK-based African TV show,
Vox Africa's Sports360, saying: "I think the
coach of Malawi is crazy.
"If he wants to talk to FIFA, he should go
back to Belgium. He is not an African person,
he is a white dude, he should go back to
Belgium."
"I have never used any words like these to
any coach. He has no right, who is he?
"All other countries play in Calabar. Calabar is
one of the safest places in Nigeria… He is
mad. I wish I could say it to his face."
Saintfiet, who married a Zimbabwean earlier
this year, told BBC Sport he is "shocked" by
Keshi's comments and he believes the
former Nigeria captain's words could also
lead to trouble at the qualifier.
"These words create hate and aggression,
and creates a risk ahead of the match in
Calabar," Saintfiet added.
"These comments are unacceptable and I
am very sad about them. I will not say any
bad words about Mr Keshi, nor Nigeria – I
only spoke about moving the game.
"If FIFA takes racism seriously, then you have
to take it seriously in both directions. If a
European said something of this nature
about an African, you would have a huge
problem. "I am against racism in all
directions."
Saintfiet believes Keshi "is angry because of
the request to change the venue," but the
Belgian stands by his feeling that Calabar is
unsafe.
"If FIFA says it's ok (for the match to be
played in Calabar) because Nigeria will
provide anti-bomb squads, then surely this
is a problem at the beginning. If you need
anti-bomb squads, you cannot consider the
area safe. It is designated a non-travel area,
high-risk area. We are not insulting anyone."
source: punchng
coach Stephen Keshi to FIFA after the Nigeria
coach reportedly called him "a white dude
who should go back to Belgium."
Both coaches have been arguing since
Malawi asked FIFA to move next month's
crucial World Cup qualifier from Calabar for
safety reasons.
Saintfiet told BBC Sport, "It is unacceptable
that any person says these words – it is
clear racism. "It is 100% sure that my
lawyers will lodge a complaint with FIFA."
The row erupted earlier this month when
the Football Association of Malawi (FAM)
wrote to FIFA, seeking a new venue for their
7 September, 2013 Group F qualifier away to
the Super Eagles – a match which Malawi,
who trail Nigeria by two points, must win to
progress to the play-offs.
Belgian Saintfiet told local media at the time
that he was concerned about security
because he claims "the UK's Foreign &
Commonwealth Office says it is a no-travel
area."
Keshi hit back shortly afterwards, saying
"this is where we play our games and other
countries are fine with that."
And the Nigerian Football Federation
complied with FIFA's request for a written
guarantee that the game would go ahead
safely.
Keshi has now followed that up with
comments on UK-based African TV show,
Vox Africa's Sports360, saying: "I think the
coach of Malawi is crazy.
"If he wants to talk to FIFA, he should go
back to Belgium. He is not an African person,
he is a white dude, he should go back to
Belgium."
"I have never used any words like these to
any coach. He has no right, who is he?
"All other countries play in Calabar. Calabar is
one of the safest places in Nigeria… He is
mad. I wish I could say it to his face."
Saintfiet, who married a Zimbabwean earlier
this year, told BBC Sport he is "shocked" by
Keshi's comments and he believes the
former Nigeria captain's words could also
lead to trouble at the qualifier.
"These words create hate and aggression,
and creates a risk ahead of the match in
Calabar," Saintfiet added.
"These comments are unacceptable and I
am very sad about them. I will not say any
bad words about Mr Keshi, nor Nigeria – I
only spoke about moving the game.
"If FIFA takes racism seriously, then you have
to take it seriously in both directions. If a
European said something of this nature
about an African, you would have a huge
problem. "I am against racism in all
directions."
Saintfiet believes Keshi "is angry because of
the request to change the venue," but the
Belgian stands by his feeling that Calabar is
unsafe.
"If FIFA says it's ok (for the match to be
played in Calabar) because Nigeria will
provide anti-bomb squads, then surely this
is a problem at the beginning. If you need
anti-bomb squads, you cannot consider the
area safe. It is designated a non-travel area,
high-risk area. We are not insulting anyone."
source: punchng
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