Benni's exclusion due to 'womanising'

By Luvuyo Mjekula

Benni McCarthy's axing from the World Cup squad came as a "big shock" to the Cape Town-born star and his family, his brother Jerome said yesterday, but he refused to discuss allegations that the lethal striker had been left out over shenanigans involving the opposite sex.

Although the most successful soccer player to come out of the Mother City, McCarthy, 33, was not included in the final Bafana Bafana squad of 23. 

His exclusion from the World Cup team sent shockwaves through the country, and speculation was rife he had been sidelined because he was unfit and carried too much weight. 

McCarthy holds the record for the most goals (32) scored by a South African player in national colours. 

He plies his trade for West Ham United in the English Premier League. 

The City Press reported yesterday that McCarthy - who is married - was left out after he apparently entertained women in the early hours of the morning in his hotel room in Sandton. 

Jerome told The Star yesterday that he had heard about the allegations, but said he could not comment as he had not discussed it with his brother. He added that his brother was "120 percent" behind Bafana.

"I cannot comment on something my brother and I have not talked about," Jerome said.

Quoting sources in the Bafana camp and a hotel staff member, the City Press said Germany-based goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez was cut from the team for the same reasons.

The newspaper said McCarthy and Fernandez were apparently entertaining women at 4am last Thursday morning at their hotel.

Coach Carlos Parreira was furious and immediately decided to cut the two from the team, after security showed him CCTV tapes of McCarthy and Fernandez taking the women up to the room.

The incident took place shortly after South Africa's penultimate practice match - before the final squad was announced - against the Colombians. 

Reacting to his unexpected exclusion, McCarthy had only said he was disappointed.

However, Jerome said it was a "big shock" to his brother.

"He wanted it to be his last World Cup, especially in his home country. 

"Being disappointed is part and parcel of the game. We were shocked, but there is only space for 23 players.

"We must respect the coach's decision and move on. Benni needs to pick himself up but I know he will," according to Jerome.

McCarthy is currently in Spain, but they talk on the phone every day.

Jerome did not believe claims that McCarthy was overweight. 

He said he had been with his brother in the UK for about five months before he rejoined Bafana in South Africa for the World Cup training camps.

"Benni had not played for months after he got injured in December. Obviously he lost his fitness, but the guy is not overweight.

"If he was overweight, why did (Bafana coach Carlos Alberto) Parreira pick him in the first place?"

But Jerome did not want to dwell on the negatives.

• This article was originally published on page 3 of The Star on June 07, 2010

Published on the Web by IOL on 2010-06-07 04:37:00