SA will not boycott FIFA World Cup, says McKenzie
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie says the government will not support the calls for the boycott of the FIFA World Cup.
The football tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and is due to take place in June and July.
South Africa has qualified for the global spectacle for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
The calls for a boycott have been made in protest against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the subsequent attack launched against Iran.
EFF is one of the parties that called for the boycott.
But briefing the media in Pretoria on Wednesday, McKenzie said any boycott would result in South Africa being banned by FIFA.
"South Africa doesn't support the boycott. Football should not become a casualty of geopolitics. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on earth, and it belongs to the players and the supporters of the world.
"South Africa is not subject to any travel ban; the United States has not imposed a travel ban on South Africa."
The minister called on South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana and show the players the same level of support as when the Springboks take to the field.
