Favourite for Ghana coaching job Willy Sagnol accused of racism

Thomas Freeman Yeboah 20:38 - 17 February 2017

Frenchman Willy Sagnol has been accused of having a dislike for African players

Willy Sagnol has come under severe criticisms over his perception that African players are unintelligent and indiscipline, despite having the strength on the field.

‘The advantage of the typical African player is that he is not expensive when you take him, he’s generally ready to fight and he is powerful on the pitch. But football is not just that, it’s also technique, intelligence, discipline,’ Sagnol said in an interview with local newspaper Sud Ouest in 2014.

The issue of the former Bordeaux coach dislike for African players has been revisited, after he was linked to the vacant Black Stars coaching job.

Willy Sagnol a former left full back for Bayern Munich and France is reported to have been in advance talks with the Ghana Football Association, as the possible replacement for Avram Grant, whose contract ends in February ending.

Lilian Thuram, his former playing mate at the national team and anti-racism associations hit out at Sagnol, who has the backing of his club.

‘It’s laid-back anti-black racism,’ SOS Racisme said in a statement, asking that ‘the LFP (French League), FFF (French Federation) and the Sports ministry take immediate sanctions.’

Thuram said: ‘It is damaging that someone can hint that African players lack this or that quality.’