FIFA queries Keshi

The world football governing body FIFA has queried Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi about his comment on Malawi’s technical adviser Tom Sainfiet. The Nigeria coach has been given a September 16 deadline to respond to the query.

The Malawi federation reported to FIFA what it called ‘racist’ remarks by Keshi aimed at the Belgian.

“We feel the racist remarks by Mr Keshi are not acceptable,” Fam’s general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said.

“We thought it was a personal attack on our coach and we had to defend him regardless of skin. We felt we should help our coach and at the same time put a stop to the racist remarks from Mr. Keshi. We have sent evidence of what Keshi said and we hope FIFA will come up with some measures to control Mr. Keshi.”

In the phone interview aired on UK-based African television show, Keshi was quoted to have said, “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.”

The media director for the Nigeria Football Federation Mr. Ademola Olajire confirmed to The PUNCH that they had received the letter from FIFA.

He said, “It came in just before the game against Malawi in Calabar but it was important to avoid distractions. The federation is doing all that is possible to ensure that Keshi adequately addresses the issue and within the deadline given.”