South Africa Rejects FIFA Bribery Claims

South Africa rejects FIFA’s claim that a $10-million bribe was paid by the country to win the right to host the World Cup in 2010, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday.

“South Africa did not pay any bribe nor did it illegally obtain the right to host the World Cup,” he said at a news conference in Cape Town.

He said FIFA must retract its statement made on Wednesday, when it sought restitution in U.S. courts from former FIFA executive committee members it said had accepted bribes in the awarding of World Cup hosting rights.

“We paid money to a legacy project in the African Diaspora in the Caribbean,” Mbalula said.

 

South Africa Rejects FIFA Bribery Claims

FIFA Bans Three South African Officials

Three South African Football Officials have been banned by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) after alleged involvement into match fixing in two of  Bafana Bafana pre- world cup  friendlies matches  prior to 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

FIFA confirmed that Former South African Football Association (SAFA) chief executive members Leslie Sedibe has been given a five year ban from all football related activities as well a fine of 20,286 USD.

Two culprit Steve Goddard and Adeel Carelse who once served as SAFA referee head have received a two year suspension from all football activities.

All theses scandals erupted because  two pre-world friendlies that was played by South African men national team Bafana Bafana was fixed with reference to the evidence gathered so far. South Africa won 5 – 0 over Guatemala and 2-1 win over Colombia a few days after, which saw dubious penalty decisions being awarded in both matches.

Another SAFA official Lindile Kika was banned for six years in October in relation to the match fixing scandal as well.

 

FIFA Bans Three South African Officials