Scandal Rocks South African Football, President Arrested and Charged with Fraud and Theft

The head of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan, has been arrested and charged with fraud and theft.

The South African Police Force confirmed this in a statement, noting that the arrest occurred on Wednesday.

They also stated that the Football President has been accused of utilizing the group’s resources for personal gain in a fraud and theft case for 1.3 million rand ($72,000).

The football president was accused of engaging a private security and public relations firm without authority.

“The allegations are that between 2014 and 2018, the president of SAFA used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain.

“He was accused of hiring a private security company for his own protection and a public relations company without authorisation from the SAFA board.“

He was arrested following an intensive investigation by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation based in Johannesburg into allegations of R1.3 million fraud and theft,” the police stated.

Jordaan, 73, is reported to have hired the public relations firm after his reputation took a knock when a South African singer and former lawmaker alleged in 2017 that he had sexually assaulted her 25 years previously.

He however, denied denied the charges in a Johannesburg court.

He was arrested with SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, head of the communications company cited in the charges, who also denied the accusations.

Jordaan has been SAFA president since 2013 was elected for a third time in 2022, and led South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.