A question has been around since the fall of the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa, that whether a $10 million payment to the Caribbean Football Union, was supposed to be a fund to aid the soccer development in the Caribbean nations, or just a bribe.
Sexwale, a member of FIFA’s anti-racism and anti-discrimination task force, and its media committee, recently stated “The question is did the money go to the right place?” He also enquired, about the whereabouts of the money by asking, who was at the receiving end of this money.
On the contrary, South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula explained on Wednesday, that the payment was meant for funding soccer development in the Caribbean nations, and wasn’t a bribe. Last week, accusations were made by the U.S. authorities saying that Jack Warner, the head of the Caribbean, Central and North American soccer confederation, received a sum of $10 million from South Africa, in order to vote for its bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
The U.S. allegations also suggest that, two of the members of the bidding committee for South Africa, were co-conspirators in these corruption, racketeering and money laundering matters. One of them allegedly flew to Paris, to hand over a briefcase filled with $10,000 bundles, which was addressed to Warner, suggesting the involvement of Mr. Warner.
The U.S. is inclined to believe, that because South Africa was unable to arrange the payment, it requested soccer’s governing body to withhold $10 million from its World Cup allocation and transfer the money to accounts controlled by Warner.
Sexwale, a member of FIFA’s anti-racism and anti-discrimination task force, and its media committee, recently stated “The question is did the money go to the right place?” He also enquired, about the whereabouts of the money by asking, who was at the receiving end of this money.
On the contrary, South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula explained on Wednesday, that the payment was meant for funding soccer development in the Caribbean nations, and wasn’t a bribe. Last week, accusations were made by the U.S. authorities saying that Jack Warner, the head of the Caribbean, Central and North American soccer confederation, received a sum of $10 million from South Africa, in order to vote for its bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
The U.S. allegations also suggest that, two of the members of the bidding committee for South Africa, were co-conspirators in these corruption, racketeering and money laundering matters. One of them allegedly flew to Paris, to hand over a briefcase filled with $10,000 bundles, which was addressed to Warner, suggesting the involvement of Mr. Warner.
The U.S. is inclined to believe, that because South Africa was unable to arrange the payment, it requested soccer’s governing body to withhold $10 million from its World Cup allocation and transfer the money to accounts controlled by Warner.
Support from Nelson Mandela
Sexwale was convinced with the reasons behind the payment and said; Nelson Mandela believed that South Africa acted as a representative for the whole African continent in hosting the World Cup.
Sexwale, a former government minister and leading figure in the ruling African National Congress, mentioned that it was not just a South African World Cup; it was an African World Cup.
The South African Football Association’s former president, Molefi Oliphant, wrote to FIFA general secretary, Jerome Valcke in 2008, requesting Warner to be the person who takes care of these transactions relating to the transferred $10 million.
Sexwale, a former government minister and leading figure in the ruling African National Congress, mentioned that it was not just a South African World Cup; it was an African World Cup.
The South African Football Association’s former president, Molefi Oliphant, wrote to FIFA general secretary, Jerome Valcke in 2008, requesting Warner to be the person who takes care of these transactions relating to the transferred $10 million.
‘Follow Developments’
Oliphant explained via a phone call that during the bidding process he was not in contact with Warner; as it was the responsibility of a bidding company led by Danny Jordaan and other officials one of them being, Irvin Khosa. In reply to the question, had Jordaan requested Oliphant to send the letter to Valcke, Oliphant answered “follow the developments”.
Jordaan even refused to give a statement on why Warner should be the curator. Khosa dodged calls seeking comment.
Warner said in a video he had an “avalanche of secrets”, that included details on FIFA’s outgoing president Sepp Blatter and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Warner had been a cabinet minister in Persad-Bissessar’s government.
“I will no longer keep secrets for them,” Warner said, revealing he had compiled a cache of important documents.
“I reasonably and surely fear for my life, “he said, adding “not even death will stop the incoming avalanche.”
Due to the lack of contact with U.S. investigators and his travelling itinerary, Sexwale said he had not yet seen the full accusations, regarding the widespread corruption.
Sexwale mentioned that FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s resignation on June 2nd is “good for the game” and this will allow some room for soccer to improve its governance. He has previously worked closely with Blatter, Warner and other accused officials.
“It’s a shock,” Sexwale said. He says amidst these developments, he finds it hard to believe that these were the same people he had once worked with.
References:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-04/where-did-10-million-fifa-payment-go-2010-cup-organizer-asks
Jordaan even refused to give a statement on why Warner should be the curator. Khosa dodged calls seeking comment.
Warner said in a video he had an “avalanche of secrets”, that included details on FIFA’s outgoing president Sepp Blatter and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Warner had been a cabinet minister in Persad-Bissessar’s government.
“I will no longer keep secrets for them,” Warner said, revealing he had compiled a cache of important documents.
“I reasonably and surely fear for my life, “he said, adding “not even death will stop the incoming avalanche.”
Due to the lack of contact with U.S. investigators and his travelling itinerary, Sexwale said he had not yet seen the full accusations, regarding the widespread corruption.
Sexwale mentioned that FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s resignation on June 2nd is “good for the game” and this will allow some room for soccer to improve its governance. He has previously worked closely with Blatter, Warner and other accused officials.
“It’s a shock,” Sexwale said. He says amidst these developments, he finds it hard to believe that these were the same people he had once worked with.
References:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-04/where-did-10-million-fifa-payment-go-2010-cup-organizer-asks
