TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic says he has been left astonished that the Premier Soccer League has informed all member club coaches that they should not speak in solidarity of the people in Gaza, Palestine in light of the Israel conflict.
The German-born tactician had requested an opportunity to speak about the issue after Galaxy’s win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 match at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday, but he was denied that opportunity by SuperSport TV.
Ramovic, who is a Muslim, was only allowed to speak for five seconds in the post-match TV interview, saying he doesn’t want to talk about football and when he appeared to start talking about the issue SuperSport cut him off, with the cameras muting him off and capturing the fans in the stands.
SuperSport TV has since informed this website that they were not going to allow Ramovic to speak about the Israel and Palestine conflict because they have to adhere to the rules and regulations, and speaking at their platform was something that was prohibited since they are a sports broadcaster, not news.
The PSL has since come hard to all clubs, informing them that their coaches should not speak about what is happening in the war between Israel and Palestine.
But this has not gone down well with Ramovic, saying some other things are bigger than football.
“So you promote ‘neutrality’ and insist ‘sports and politics shouldn’t mix’? We are used to seeing these double standards,” an astonished Ramovic told this website.
“Didn’t FIFA and UEFA ban Russia from the World Cup [and its clubs to participate in the European cup competitions]?
“Did Manchester City players not wear t-shirts in support of Ukraine [when the invasion by Russia started] before a Premier League match against Everton, Liverpool? So Ukraine life matters, but not Palestinians?
“Sport is being used to normalize gambling and alcohol even when we are aware that this kills a lot of families and lives. The money gets you to be silent.
“I am so grateful to all these people, players and coaches for the support I am getting here.
“I would like to say all of them big thanks. Our prayers are with the people of Palestine. As the president of South Africa (Cyril Ramaphosa) said, we are against any kind of violence to humanity.
“South Africa went through apartheid. Palestine is going this through the same before the eyes of the world.
“By the way, speedy recovery to our beautiful human being – Bernard Parker.”
Parker has since had a successful surgery on his broken leg following the incident with Bongani Zungu, and has been discharged from hospital.
