Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent doesn’t want to get involved in Hugo Broos sexist comments controversy
Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, remains silent amid controversy over Hugo Broos’s sexist comments regarding her role in Mbokazi’s potential move to Chicago Fire. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates player Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent Basia Michaels, of QT Sports, does not want to get involved in the controversy that has erupted over the sexist comments of Hugo Broos on Wednesday.
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, sexist, jab at Michaels in his reaction to the news.
Broos Criticises Agent Michaels as Allegations of Sexism and Racism Surface
Broos said: “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.”
Political party UDM have since approached the Human Rights Commission to investigate the Bafana coach over racially charged and sexist remarks.
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.
When contacted by kickoff.com for her reaction to the comments of Broos, Michaels said: “I have no comment on anything; I have no comment.
“God bless us all. That’s my comment – God bless us all.”