The South African Football Association (SAFA) is astounded by the continued attacks on its reputation and that of its President, Dr Danny Jordaan. The latest attack once again singles out Dr Jordaan on a matter that our Government has definitively addressed as recently as March 2016.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) is astounded by the continued attacks on its reputation and that of its President, Dr Danny Jordaan. The latest attack once again singles out Dr Jordaan on a matter that our Government has definitively addressed as recently as March 2016.
News24 has once again rehashed a story, replete with innuendo calculated to inflict serious damage on the reputation of Dr Jordaan and the Association.
Our Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Fikile Mbalula, has comprehensively dealt with these matters and the Association has made available all the evidence on its website proving that the grant made to the North American football confederation was not a bribe. All this information which News24 is regurgitating has been made available on the SAFA website for months.
SAFA vehemently denies any wrongdoing and draws attention to the following:
- FIFA issued a statement in March 2016 stating, in part, that “the US indictments do not allege that South Africa ‘bought’ the World Cup with bribes, nor does FIFA.” ;
- Dr Jordaan’s name was never mentioned either by the US authorities or FIFA in respect of these allegations;
- No indictment has been issued against Dr Jordaan — even after 5 years of investigations by the US authorities;
It is therefore quite clear that Dr Jordaan has nothing to defend and the report, stating this as fact, is calculated to inflict maximum reputational and other damages to Dr Jordaan and the Association.
What we know is factual is that an election is scheduled for 3 August 2016 and the timing of this report drags the Association and its President into a political arena that it has clearly requested all political parties not to do.