{"id":8932,"date":"2013-08-24T12:40:25","date_gmt":"2013-08-24T12:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigerian-newspapers\/racism-malawi-coach-to-report-stephen-keshi-to-fifa\/"},"modified":"2013-08-24T12:40:25","modified_gmt":"2013-08-24T12:40:25","slug":"racism-malawi-coach-to-report-stephen-keshi-to-fifa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/racism-malawi-coach-to-report-stephen-keshi-to-fifa\/","title":{"rendered":"Racism: Malawi coach to report Stephen Keshi to FIFA"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet is to report coach Stephen Keshi to FIFA after the Nigeria coach reportedly called him \u201ca white dude who should go back to Belgium.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both coaches have been arguing since Malawi asked FIFA to move next month\u2019s crucial World Cup qualifier from Calabar for safety reasons.<\/p>\n

Saintfiet told BBC Sport, \u201cIt is unacceptable that any person says these words – it is clear racism. \u201cIt is 100% sure that my lawyers will lodge a complaint with FIFA.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n

Belgian Saintfiet told local media at the time that he was concerned about security because he claims \u201cthe UK\u2019s Foreign & Commonwealth Office says it is a no-travel area.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keshi hit back shortly afterwards, saying \u201cthis is where we play our games and other countries are fine with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

And the Nigerian Football Federation complied with FIFA\u2019s request for a written guarantee that the game would go ahead safely.<\/p>\n

Keshi has now followed that up with comments on UK-based African TV show, Vox Africa\u2019s Sports360, saying: \u201cI think the coach of Malawi is crazy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have never used any words like these to any coach. He has no right, who is he?<\/p>\n

\u201cAll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saintfiet, who married a Zimbabwean earlier this year, told BBC Sport he is \u201cshocked\u201d by Keshi\u2019s comments and he believes the former Nigeria captain\u2019s words could also lead to trouble at the qualifier.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese words create hate and aggression, and creates a risk ahead of the match in Calabar,\u201d Saintfiet added.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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. \u201cI am against racism in all directions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saintfiet believes Keshi \u201cis angry because of the request to change the venue,\u201d but the Belgian stands by his feeling that Calabar is unsafe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf FIFA says it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. <\/a>A DisNaija.Com<\/a> network.<\/p>\n

Source: Punch Newspaper<\/p>\n

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