Former Polokwane City boss Luc Eymael, who is currently serving a six-month ban for making racist remarks in the Congolese top flight, has now issued a message to his club, Saint-Eloi Lupopo.
Eymael is certainly no stranger to controversy, as he was sacked by Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC in 2020 after being accused of making racist insults towards the club's supporters.
In 2021, South African political party the Economic Freedom Fighters threatened to take legal action against the PSL and Chippa United, who wanted to appoint the Belgian as head coach.
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With a tarnished reputation in Tanzania and South Africa, Eymael has since had stints in Tunisia, Libya, and DR Congo, where he ran into yet another controversy.
Appointed as Saint-Éloi Lupopo manager in September 2024, the 65-year-old was handed a six-month ban in November following his conduct during a DRC Ligue 1 clash between his side and Blessing FC in October.
The ruling body of the Congolese top flight, LINAFOOT, said in a statement that Eymael had "made insulting and racist remarks to the Blessing FC goalkeeper, the match officials, and the members of the Blessing FC committee."
Eymael has not been sacked from his role by Saint-Éloi Lupopo, and he has now sent his best wishes to the club while he awaits his return from Belgium.
Speaking in a video published by Sango Linafoot TV, the former Black Leopards boss said, "Good evening to everyone, our friends the railway workers of FC Saint-Éloi-Lupopo. This is your Belgian coach, of course speaking from Belgium, amidst our Belgian chill.
I am already delighted to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We, the protégés of your president Jacques Aboula, of course, hope to see as many of you as possible supporting us in 2024 and 2025.
"We aim to deliver an excellent second leg, a great final round, or a successful playoff, just as we have done this year, 2024, which has been quite an exceptional year for Saint-Éloi Lupopo.
I would like to once again thank all the players, the staff, the management, and especially you, the fans, because you are very, very important. We rely on you—you are so supportive, you help us a lot, and we will all still be here to support you as well, at least to cheer us on and achieve great results, I hope!"
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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