South Africa denies bribing a Fifa official when bidding for World Cup

Allegations that South Africa paid a $10 million bribe to a Fifa official when bidding for the 2010 World Cup were denied by government ministers yesterday, who insisted all local funds spent on the tournament were accounted for.

During separate media interviews minister in the presidency Jeff Radebe, and sports and recreation minister Fikile Mbalula both categorically denied that government participated in the corruption outlined by the US Attorney General on Wednesday.

According to US investigators, who have looked into alleged corruption around a number of tournaments run by world football's governing body, a top South African official was implicated and is under investigation for allegedly bribing Fifa executive Jack Warner to secure the 2010 World Cup.

Mr Mbalula maintained that government had yet to see a copy of the indictment that outlines the alleged corruption, so official comment on the details of what is said to have transpired would not be forthcoming until it did.

Nevertheless, he insisted the issue was being taken very seriously by government because “this has the potential to tarnish our image and our competency to host future international events”.

Our books

“Our financial records and books for the 2010/2011 financial years and those before and after the 2010 Fifa World Cup have been audited by the auditor general of South Africa and no such amount has been found on our books,” said Mr Mbalula.

Mr Mbalula said going forward they will deal with the issue through normal diplomatic channels.

“If the FBI wants South Africa to be involved they know what to do.

“We don’t feel undermined in any way regarding what the Americans are pursuing,” maintained Mr Mbalula.