Bafana Bafana "bad boy" Benni McCarthy who was accused this week of snubbing the media, was defended by his bosses at the South African Football Association.

However, McCarthy who is a serial offender with the local media will face a hearing into the matter that threatened the English based striker's place in Bafana's World Cup squad.

Safa CEO Leslie Sedibe told a media conference at SAFA House on Wednesday afternoon that he felt the media were harsh in slamming “the fat” McCarthy for failing to pitch up for a scheduled media interview at the players hotel in Sandton on Wednesday and pleaded with the media to give the controversial West Ham United striker “a break.”

Said Sedibe: “I am not condoning what Benni did (fail to honour his media commitment) but I believe the criticism is too harsh. Benni had personal problems to deal with and that was the reason he gave us for not attending the media briefing. He has stressed to me that he is fully committed to helping his country at the World Cup.”

But Sedibe strongly denied there was one rule for McCarthy and another for the other players in the national squad. He also denied that the reason for McCarthy not attending the media briefing was because the media had called into question his weight problem.

Bafana team manager Dennis Mumble said: “Benni will be on the carpet for not attending the scheduled media interview. I accepted his explanation that he had personal problems. But I also accept that we cannot set a precedent here.”

Sedibe then told the media that McCarthy would be available to the media on Saturday. He added: “I will personally be there at the press conference.”

McCarthy (32) has had plenty of run ins with the local media during the past decade. He attracts controversy. And unless he quickly changes his tune he could find himself out in the cold when head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira names his 23 players for the World Cup on June 1.

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