SuperSport TV said there was no way they were going to allow TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic to express solidarity about the killing of people in the city of Gaza in Palestine that has left the world in shock.
The paying channel added that they are governed by the rules and regulations since they are a sports broadcaster and have to stick to these regulations, unlike other broadcasters who have a space for such as they broadcast news and sports.
Coach Ramovic saw his interview with SuperSport TV cut short in his post-match after he informed them before the game ended that he wanted to express his sadness about the death of people in the Israeli-Gaza war and not about the game.
This happened as Galaxy beat Mamelodi Sundowns 5-4 on penalty shootouts in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16 at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday.
However, Ramovic was only allowed to speak for five seconds and when he was about to express his views about the killing in Gaza, the giant broadcaster cut off the interview, with the former goalkeeper adding that he was left dumbfounded by SuperSport’s decision since South Africa previously faced the similar situation during the Apartheid laws.
“All sports broadcasting platforms are bound by contractual arrangements with sports federations which govern what may be broadcast during sports coverage,” SuperSport TV communications manager Clinton van der Berg told iDiski Times.
“SuperSport adheres to these obligations. The appropriate forums for political debates are news or current affairs programmes.”
In Gaza, hundreds of people have been killed by an explosion at a crowded hospital in Gaza City, health officials according to reports.
Palestinian officials said an Israeli air strike caused the blast – but the Israeli military says it was the result of a failed rocket launch by Palestinian Islamic Jihad – an accusation the militant group rejected.
Israeli warplanes and artillery have been bombarding Gaza in response to an unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October by the main Palestinian militant group, Hamas, which killed 1,400 people.
More than 3,000 people have been reported killed by strikes in Gaza.
Galaxy, who also beat Sundowns in the league last season in the first round, will now wait to see who they will face in the quarter-finals after other matches have been played this weekend.
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The quarter-finals draw will take place on Sunday after SuperSport United against Polokwane City last 16 fixture.
