Minister of Sports Gayton McKenzie has slammed the online abuse aimed at Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo 'Yaya' Sithole following South Africa's FIFA World Cup defeat to Mexico, calling on fans to support players through tough times. Photo: Backpagepix
Minister Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has condemned the online abuse directed at Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole during the FIFA World Cup, urging supporters to back players through difficult moments.
Sithole came under heavy criticism following South Africa’s opening 2-0 defeat to Mexico, with the midfielder becoming the target of widespread abuse on social media after a difficult performance.
Speaking at the funeral of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams in Stellenbosch on Saturday, McKenzie said criticism should never cross the line into personal attacks.
“When we lost Mexico, the whole country was sad but the abuse Yaya Sithole suffered and the degradation and humiliation as well as the words spoke over his life (were horrible to see),” McKenzie said.
