Former CSA president Mtutuzeli Nyoka says Proteas coach Mark Boucher has suffered reputational damage despite disciplinary charges against him being dropped.
CSA withdrew all charges against Boucher on Tuesday, two weeks after losing its case against Smith, the former director of cricket.
“It’s true that the withdrawal has been confirmed, but the damage to Mark is done,” Nyoka told Sport24.
“What we needed to accept from the outcome was that Mark and Graeme – I mention them together because they were the two main targets of the saga – are heroes of the South African game. It’s a fact that matters.
“As a result, one really had to be careful when making the allegations that were levelled against them.
“I don’t want to cross swords, but if you’re accused of racism in South Africa, it’s a tag that sticks to you for the rest of your life,” added Nyoka.
“It’s just so sad that the perception of a crusade against them has been created when they’ve contributed so much to the local game.
“They should’ve been celebrated, now their names are unfairly tarnished.”
