South African Football Association President, Danny Jordaan, has reportedly confirmed that South Africa paid $10m after the country won a bid to host the 2010 World Cup. Jordaan however insists that the payout was not a bribe to FIFA officials.
The Sunday Independent reported that Jordaan said the money was paid to the Confederation of North, Central American and the Caribbean Football Association in 2008.
Last week, the United States Justice Department claimed a South African bid official paid a bribe for the hosting of the 2010 football spectacle. Seven officials of the world football body have also been arrested for allegedly being part of the international scandal involving millions of dollars stretching back 24 years.
Jordaan was quoted as saying the $80m was paid directly over to South African football authorities in 2008 for the football tournament. A further $20m was allocated to build SAFA House and $10m was paid to CONCACAF.
Jack Warner, who has been implicated in the bribery scandal, was the head of the association at the time.
South African soccer bosses and the sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, have all dismissed claims by the US Justice department that a bribe was indeed paid by South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup.
Even though the South Africans have strongly denied bribery, the US prosecutors insist South Africa made an illegal payment after the government promised $10m to Mr Warner – then a FIFA vice president – in exchange for the country becoming the first African country to host the World Cup.
FIFA chose South Africa as host ahead of Morocco after fierce contest.
Following the scandal, UEFA president, Michel Platini, is now expected to lead the continent’s fightback against Sepp Blatter’s FIFA.
Platini who helped Blatter first get elected in 1998, has put UEFA on a direct collision course with FIFA in what he says is a mission to restore credibility to the sport.
Platini and UEFA led efforts to oust Blatter from power, supporting challenger Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan in Friday’s election, but the 79-year-old Swiss official extended his 17-year grip on power. Blatter’s victory came despite some of his close allies, including FIFA vice presidents, being arrested in Zurich ahead of the congress as part of an American investigation into football corruption.
Platini will now lead a UEFA meeting in Berlin on Friday to discuss their next move. English football chiefs have been long-standing critics of Blatter and are hoping for action from Platini.
“It does require real leadership and Mr. Platini has now got to stand up,” English FA chairman Greg Dyke told the BBC on Sunday. “He stood up and criticised Sepp Blatter. He’s now got to lead the opposition.’’
A World Cup boycott does not appear to be a credible threat without the weight of the game’s powers behind UEFA.
“If we could get 10 large countries to do the same thing then I think you could have a big impact,’’ Dyke said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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