Hugo Broos faces backlash for misogynistic comments on Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent
Hugo Broos faces backlash for making misogynistic comments about Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, during a press conference discussing Mbokazi’s transfer to Chicago Fire. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
It was abundantly clear that Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was not in a good mood during his press conference on Wednesday, but that was no excuse for his condescending and misogynistic comments about Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent.
It was widely reported that Broos did approve of Mbokazi’s move to Chicago Fire in the United States after the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 20-year-old Orlando Pirates defender is one of the brightest prospects in South African football at the moment, and his looming move to the US, which was announced last week, sent shockwaves through the local football fraternity.
Yet, Broos took a deliberate and sexist jab at Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, of QT Sports, in his reaction to the news.
Broos Criticises Player’s Move, Questions Agent’s Expertise
“But I know what happened. A woman who is his agent and thinks she knows football is doing what many agents are doing and thinking ‘how much can I get’," said Broos.
“If she is a little bit clever, she knows there is AFCON and next year it’s the World Cup, that there will be other teams, better for his career, to go to and not to Chicago.”
Broos is well within his rights to criticise the move, but his immediate move to discredit the expertise and qualifications of Michaels is prejudiced.
The 73-year-old can also be forgiven for not remembering the agent’s name, but to also refer to her as “a woman who is his agent” begs the question, what relevance does Michaels being a woman have in this discussion? That's just sexist.
Broos is an excellent coach, but his comments about Michaels were definitely offside.
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