The club said his comments were ‘unacceptable’
Stuart Baxter has been sacked by Indian Super League club Odisha after using a rape analogy in a post-match interview.
Baxter, 67, has played and coached all over the world, having two spells with the South African national team as well as coaching in Japan and Finland.
After Odisha’s defeat by Jamshedpur on Monday, he bemoaned a perceived unfairness with regard to the referee’s decision making.
“You need decisions to go your way and they didn’t,” the 67-year-old said in an interview on Indian’s Star Sports television.
“I don’t know when we’re going to get a penalty. I think one of my players would have to rape someone or get raped himself if he was going to get a penalty.”
The club immediately apologised for his “unacceptable” comments, and less than 24 hours later, Baxter was relieved of his duties.
On Monday, Odisha tweeted: “The Club is appalled at the comments made by Head Coach, Stuart Baxter during the post-match interview today. It is completely unacceptable whatever the context and does not reflect the values of the club.
“We, at Odisha FC, unreservedly apologise and the club management will handle this matter internally.”
On Tuesday, the club confirmed he had been sacked.
“Odisha FC has decided to terminate Head Coach, Stuart Baxter’s contract with immediate effect. The interim coach for the remainder of the season will be announced soon,” the club’s official account tweeted.
Odisha FC has decided to terminate Head Coach, Stuart Baxter's contract with immediate effect.
The interim coach for the remainder of the season will be announced soon.#OdishaFC pic.twitter.com/FcrMPCDn5h
— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) February 2, 2021
Odisha currently sit bottom of the Indian Super League in 11th place.
