Five years after his controversial appointment was blocked by the South African Football Association and the Economic Freedom Fighters, Luc Eymael has returned to South African football with a new role at Gqeberha-based Chippa United.
Chippa United announced on Thursday that they had appointed the Belgian after Sinethemba Badela decided to step down following a number of disagreements with sporting director Sinesipho Mali.
Eymael’s appointment is a controversial one, as the 65-year-old was fired by Tanzania’s Young Africans in 2020 after referring to the club’s supporters as “monkeys” and “dogs.”
Speaking in an interview, Eymael said: “They are completely stupid in this country. They can only shout. They are like monkeys or dogs who are only barking. They can only do that. They don’t know anything.”
In December 2020, Eymael was appointed by Chippa but was met with resistance when SAFA vowed to block the move.
“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 said at the time.
“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.”
Four months later, the club tried once again to appoint him but were urged to change their decision by the EFF, who said: “We want to reiterate our stance that we will ensure Luc Eymael won’t work in our province; he is not welcome, and we don’t have room for racists in this country.
“If Siviwe Mpengesi knows what’s best for his team, Chippa United, he will withdraw the appointment of this unrepentant racist from Belgium – a country of King Leopold, who killed black people in Africa.”
Eymael’s return to South African football is bound to ignite debate once again. Supporters, pundits, and authorities will be watching closely to see whether the club can manage the backlash and whether football in the country is willing to reconcile competitive ambitions with accountability and moral responsibility.
For Chippa United, the stakes are high – this is more than a coaching appointment; it is a test of principle, tolerance, and the kind of message the club wants to send to the nation.
IOL Sport
