The South African Football Association (SAFA) has reacted to the ongoing Xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
According to SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble, they intend to use football to unite the people by
organising two high-profile friendlies against our neighbouring countries.
organising two high-profile friendlies against our neighbouring countries.
“We want to use the two
high-profile international friendly matches as an instrument to unite this
continent. What has been happening in the past few days have really left most
people in a shock and dismayed,” Mumble said in a statement released by SAFA.
high-profile international friendly matches as an instrument to unite this
continent. What has been happening in the past few days have really left most
people in a shock and dismayed,” Mumble said in a statement released by SAFA.
“We have decided to
take this step (of playing two high-profile international friendly matches) as
part of the fight against xenophobia. Madiba spoke of the power of sport in
uniting people from different walks of life and we want to use the power of
football to unite this continent and kick out this scourge within certain
malcontents in our society.”
take this step (of playing two high-profile international friendly matches) as
part of the fight against xenophobia. Madiba spoke of the power of sport in
uniting people from different walks of life and we want to use the power of
football to unite this continent and kick out this scourge within certain
malcontents in our society.”
Mumble feels that the
recent violence has dented the image of the country.
recent violence has dented the image of the country.
“Most sporting
personalities have had their say in denouncing these barbaric acts but we want
to go a step further by playing friendly matches against neighbouring countries.
We want to send out a message to those perpetrating these acts to sit back and
realise what they are doing is wrong.
personalities have had their say in denouncing these barbaric acts but we want
to go a step further by playing friendly matches against neighbouring countries.
We want to send out a message to those perpetrating these acts to sit back and
realise what they are doing is wrong.
“We are one continent,
one Africa, we are all Africans and we say no to xenophobia.”
one Africa, we are all Africans and we say no to xenophobia.”
Details for the two
international friendlies will be by SAFA in the next few days.
international friendlies will be by SAFA in the next few days.
According to the South African government, 307 people have been arrested in connection to the xenophobic violence and looters have been openly condemned.