Why Butler�s fuse blew
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday June 13, 2017 15:25
But it was soon after the match that the biggest story worth writing and reading took place.
Peter Butler’s stinging criticism of his employers, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) overshadowed the team’s loss.
Butler, whose contract situation remains unresolved, did not hold back and took a dig at BFA for what he perceives to be lack of support.
“We played fantastic but what goes on outside is totally unacceptable. We are happy with the president, Maclean Letshwiti but there is a problem with people around him, we wonder if they are with us or not. I am fed up to the back teeth. They should stop sabotaging those who want to do good for the nation,” Butler said after watching his charges spurn several chances before Mauritania delivered a late sucker punch.
BFA is unlikely to take kindly to Butler’s comments, with the Briton clearly fed-up. Sources said the BFA chief executive officer, Ookeditse Malesu burst into the team’s dressing room, just before the match and in the process, interrupted team talk. Malesu addressed players on the issue of outstanding allowances.
Butler is said to have walked out while Malesu addressed the players.
Some players had not received allowances when they returned from Morocco, which added further fire.
Butler is already frustrated as the association delays in offering him a new contract, with opinion divided within the executive committee members.
Weekend comments are likely to scupper progress, but Butler felt the truth had to come out. “The truth has to come out for the sake of the country. If it hurts then that’s unfortunate. The BFA has to change radically, otherwise they will go nowhere. It is not personal, it is for the good of the country. The people want to see their national team winning, but if you don’t support the players and coaches and give them correct provisions, what chance have we got,” Butler said.
Sources said Malesu arrived on the scene 10 minutes into Butler’s pre-game presentation and the subject changed from technical issues to the matter of allowances.
Malesu confirmed that he addressed the players but said it was an emergency as he had been asked to talk to the team.
“If they call me to address them, I will do so. It was an emergency. Why should I disrupt the team talk. My meeting was very short. I was simply carrying out the instructions of my superiors to ensure that everything was in order,” Malesu said.