EFF statement on the allegations of bribery for South Africa to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup

04 June 2015

The Economic Freedom Fighters notes the developments around the allegations and revelations of bribes that occurred to influence FIFA to award South Africa the opportunity to host the historic Soccer World Cup in 2010. The EFF appreciates and celebrates the reality that as a country, South Africa hosted the first Soccer World Cup in the African continent.

Nevertheless, and despite the relative success of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, we believe that South Africa should never turn a blind eye on allegations of corruption and bribes, which led to the awarding of hosting rights to South Africa. The EFF boldly believes that all corruption incidents and occurrences that defined the World Cup, including the reported bribes, and collision of Construction companies that constructed the World Cup Stadiums should be investigated, exposed and those found to be on the wrong side of the law held accountable.

As a revolutionary political movement whose founding principles is fighting corruption, we stand tall and bold to call for thorough and forensic investigation of the bribes and donations that were transferred from the South African Football Association and other bodies to members of the FIFA Executive and other soccer bodies. We particularly call for a thorough investigations of the US$10 million “donation” given in the name of Diaspora Legacy Programme to the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF). 

CONCACAF is a continental football organisation whose members include rich countries such as the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico. Whilst the Caribbean component of the CONCACAF deserves fiscal and other assistance concerning football development, it is highly unlikely that the money which South Africa’s “donated” for the Diaspora Legacy Programme was solely for football development in the African diaspora. CANADA and the USA have one of the most powerful football development programmes in the history of football, and could have reasonably played a role in the development of football in CONCACAF than South Africa could ever play.

Additionally, the former Secretary General and ex FIFA Executive Member Chuck Blazer has admitted to the fact that he received bribes for purposes of influencing the decision of who hosts the 2010 Soccer World Cup. His admission should never be taken lightly and should never be dismissed by South Africa, a country which is bedevilled by occurrences of corruption of multinational corporations, public servants and even the sitting head of State and Government. Corruption is corruption and should be dealt with decisively, irrespective of who exposed such corruption.

The EFF however does not agree with the violation of South Africa’s sovereignty by any of the parties responsible for the exposition of the FIFA bribery scandal. We are aware that the current government is undermining corruption fighting and law enforcement institutions such as the Hawks, the Police, Public Protector and the National Prosecutions Authority. This reality, however, does not mean that the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) should undermine countries’ sovereignty and do as they wish, because in the future, they will effect arrests in the name of fighting global and multinational corruption.

Now that there is prima facie evidence that the Local Organising Committee of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup “donated” US$10 million to CONCACAF for purposes that are alleged to be bribery, the South African Authorities should investigate this phenomenon with the aim of revealing the following:

1. Whether the Local Organising Committee approved the “donation” of the money to CONCACAF.

2. Who exactly approved the “donation” and for what purpose.

3. Whether the “donated” money was used for football development in the Caribbean.

4. Whether there were other payments made by the LOC or its members to Members of the FIFA Executive as alleged by Chuck Blazer.

5. What happened to the profits of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa?

6. Whether South Africa gained real economic value out of hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup versus the amount of money spent on “donations”, infrastructure and other fees paid by the South African government.

7. Why the LOC specifically singled out Jack Warner as a person with the fiduciary duties over the US$10 million, and further arranged that former and late President Nelson Mandela pay a personal visit to him in Trinidad and Tobago prior to awarding the 2010 Soccer World Cup hosting rights.

All these questions should be thoroughly responded to, because if they are not responded to, a culture of protecting corrupt practices and phenomena will be promoted with reference to a precedence that those who were allegedly involved in corruption were not held accountable. The EFF also advises the Minister of Sports and Recreation to tone down his youthful and naive exuberance, and appreciate the simple fact that some of the issues are beyond his comprehension and knowledge.

South Africa cannot and should never be silent on occurrences and allegations of corruption, and the culture of paying bribes. These phenomena should be decisively uprooted and those accountable should be held accountable, irrespective of positions they hold in government and society. Failure to act on allegations of corruption will further degenerate South Africa into a banana republic and such will be a travesty to future generations. South African authorities should promptly act on these allegations before our country’s sovereignty is undermined by the FBI in a similar way they did with other countries.

Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, June 4 2015