OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Tuesday 12.30pm.
BAFANA and Bolton Wanderers defender Mark Fish says he quit because he was accused of being a rascist.
Fish said on Monday that a number of journalists launched a campaign to label him a racist after he allegedly had words with Bafana coach Trott Moloto.
The multi-capped player told The Citizen that the allegations, which surfaced after Bafana’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Gabon at the Odi Stadium were a very heavy blow, but he considers the allegations as “quite laughable, really.”
Fish said that “stories that I turned my back on Trott and disregarded his instructions because he is black — and that I wouldn’t have done the same to a white coach — were utter tripe and should have been dismissed with contempt.”
Fish added that it is difficult to ignore allegations such as these if “people in the street are taking it seriously.”
He said, however, that he is disillusioned by the Safa’s lack of progress in administering soccer, and in particular the way that Bafana Bafana are handled.
“I’ve played in three African Nations Cup tournaments with Bafana…and I have experienced the dream of representing South Africa at the World Cup finals,” said Fish.
But, he added, “as matters stand and in present circumstances, my soccer future will be concentrated at club level.”