Former Bafana player McCarthy lashes out at European clubs

Aug 7, 2011, 16:59 GMT

Johannesburg - Former South Africa player Benni McCarthy, in an interview published on Sunday, complained about the treatment of African players by European clubs.

McCarthy, 33, who joined South African PSL side Orlando Pirates after being released by England's West Ham in April, told the Sunday Times that all his clubs apart from Ajax Amsterdam 'victimised and intimidated' African players.

'They get them for peanuts and sell them for big bucks. And, when it comes to releasing you for the national team, they give you problems,' he said.

'They don't give a rat's ass what happens to you and your country. They say if you want to save your career, sign this statement that says you want to concentrate on your club career.'

McCarthy spent 13 years in Europe at Ajax, Celta Vigo, Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham, and won a Champions League winners' medal with Porto under Jose Mourinho.

McCarthy, who has struggled with weight problems in the later stages of his career, also hit back out at West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, who described the clubs' signing of McCarthy as 'big fat mistake' in spring.

'That is one part I don't want to go to because it makes me want to throw up,' he said.

'When you hit a bumpy patch, and for me that was at West Ham, you sit still and think about life and make a change. You have to start living your life with people who care for you most. That's when you pick up the pieces, cut the nonsense and leave all the bad people you don't need.'