DA approaches FIFA for clarity on Jordaan's dual roles

21 May 2015

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today written to the Secretary-General of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, to provide clarity on Dr. Danny Jordaan's suitability to retain his presidency of SAFA given his deployment to the mayoralty of Port Elizabeth by the ANC.

FIFA, as the global controlling body of football, is best placed to determine whether or not he should continue with both roles. 

Article 14 of FIFA's Code of Ethics, in line with SAFA's own constitution states that:

“In dealings with government institutions, national and international organisations, associations and groupings, persons bound by this Code shall, in addition to observing the basic rules of Art. 13, remain politically neutral, in accordance with the principles and objectives of FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues and clubs, and generally act in a manner compatible with their function and integrity.”

Dr. Jordaan says he has no obligation to recuse himself from SAFA because he is "not paid" by the football association. Being paid or not has nothing to do with Dr Jordaan's apparent violation of SAFA and FIFA's stance on political neutrality.

It is our belief that the leadership of the football association and the sport itself will suffer if Dr Jordaan stays on as SAFA President. Holding both a position at the association and a mayorship is not in the best interests of South African football or the community for which he has been sworn in as mayor.

Article 13 of FIFA Code of Ethics is very prescriptive about this and states that

"1. Persons bound by this Code are expected to be aware of the importance of their duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities.
2. Persons bound by this Code are obliged to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA’s regulatory framework to the extent applicable to them.
3. Persons bound by this Code shall show commitment to an ethical attitude. They shall behave in a dignified manner and act with complete credibility and integrity.
4. Persons bound by this Code may not abuse their position in any way, especially to take advantage of their position for private aims or gains."

There is no way in practice and perception that SAFA can be sincerely, politically neutral, as it must, with a President who is a political deployee of the ANC in local government.

SAFA is not, and should not be reduced to the football association of the ANC. It is important that it not be seen to be biased to one political party as Dr Jordaan's current dual roles will infer.

Statement issued by Solly Malatsi MP, DA Shadow Minister of Sports and Recreation, May 21 2015