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South Africa implicated in FIFA scandal

US FBI investigations have suggested that South Africa paid FIFA more than $10 million in bribes to host the World Cup in 2010. This information comes as part of the pandemonium ensuing at the global footballing body amidst accusations and arrests over widespread corruption within the organisation

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UPDATE: Danny Jordaan, President of the South Africa Football Association has admitted that the 2010 Local Organising Committe did in fact make a payment of R120 million ($10 million) to FIFA after the country won the bid to host the 2010 event. Full story at the Sunday Independent

South Africa reportedly paid high-ranking FIFA officials R120 million ($10 million) in ‘incetives’ for their votes to elect the country to be the continent’s first ever host of the tournament, a US charge sheet alleged on Wednesday.

The indictment describes the handing over of a briefcase stuffed with banknotes in $10,000 stacks in Paris by a senior bid committee member.

The 162-page document further details how the former Vice President of FIFA. Jack Warner, siphoned “a substantial portion” of the money for his own personal use.

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FIFA has been plunged into a major crisis following the unsealing of the indictment. Yesterday, 7 of the 14 senior FIFA officials named in the indictment were arrested during a sting at a Swiss hotel. According to The Guardian, investigations into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are ongoing.

See and download the full indictment here.

 

 

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