Khov Chhay: We don't sign black players, but nothing related to racist

Khov Chhay: We don't sign black players, but nothing related to racist

Coach Tep Longrachna of Ministry of National Defense FC was quoted by the local Media as saying: “Ministry of National Defense FC are the club that doesn’t employ black [skin] players.” After the news had been released, the club was criticized and accused of being racist by the several local fans; anyway, the club’s General Manager has come out to deny and explain that there is nothing related to racist.

Ministry of National Defense FC have registered four foreign players in their squad for this season, and all of them are North Korean players including Choe Myong Ho, Ri Hyok Chol, Kim Kyong Hun, and Jang Song Hyok. As such, this could suggest that they prefer Asian players to any other player, as stated by their General Manager.

Khov Chhay, the General Manager of Ministry of National Defense FC, has explained that the club has not attempted not to use black players, and they don’t have any policy not to use black players, but just at the moment they are not using any of them as they wish to promote and bring in more Asian players. The club based in Army Stadium (Old Stadium) may use black players in the future if needed.

Khov Chhay explained: “I would like to make it clear that Ministry of National Defense FC have not employed any black [skin] players, but this cannot suggest that we are racist. We just want to bring in more Asian players. We have not said we won’t use or set the rules or regulations not to use black players, but just at the moment, we are not using any of them as we try to recruit Asian players such as Japanese and Korean if possible.”

The 35-year-old has also called on the public not to exaggerate the news as it won’t help, but harm the local football, and it especially affects the reputation of the club.

“Please do not criticize or manipulate the information, which can affect the development of the club as our football is not competitive enough if compared to our neighbouring countries. We need to help to develop, but not to harm our football,” suggested Khov Chhay.

Ministry of National Defense FC are the team favourite to clinch the league title this season as they are now second in the league table with 21 points, which equal to the league leader, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC, who have two goals ahead of Ministry of National Defense FC on goals difference.

Photo of Khov Chhay (in the middle) with Four North Korean Players Courtesy of FB Khov Chhay