Malawi Coach to report steven 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."

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