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- The South African Football Association has slammed the SABC's decision to can Robert Marawa's radio show.
- Marawa's stint at the SABC came to an end last week when his radio show Marawa Sports Worldwide concluded on Thursday.
- SAFA said Marawa's removal is an impediment to freedom of speech.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has waded into the Robert Marawa's departure at the SABC, saying that his exit will hinder "football development and professional profiling of the sport".
Marawa's most recent stint at the national broadcaster came to an end last week when his Marawa Sports Worldwide show that was carried by 2000FM and MetroFM was canned.
It has now been replaced by two separate shows on the 2000FM and Metro that are hosted by Andile Ncube and Thomas Mlambo respectively.
In a statement, SAFA said Marawa has been an excellent contributor for football and it will approach the SABC to discuss the Marawa matter.
"Robert Marawa has over the years excelled as a major contributor to the analysis, insight and debate of football on the African continent and global stage," the statement said.
"His shows have regularly attracted wide-range expert views and opinions that evidently contributed to the growth of South African football.
"Marawa has a proven track record both nationally and continentally and has delivered major service to both local, CAF and FIFA platforms.
"SAFA, as the football governing body in the country, will approach SABC to discuss this key aspect to the future of football in this country."
In the statement, SAFA said Marawa's removal was an impediment to freedom of speech and diversity of opinions.
The SABC is the broadcast partner of SAFA.
"It is unfortunate that as we celebrate the right to freedom of speech and diversity of opinions, the main broadcasters in the country SuperSport and SABC find that such differing and diverse opinions are not to be tolerated on their platforms," the statement said.
"South Africa and its broadcast platforms must show greater tolerance to the diversity of opinions."
