SOUTH Africa’s sports minister has denied that a USD10 million payment was a bribe to secure the 2010 World Cup. Fikile Mbalula told reporters in Johannesburg that the government wanted to “categorically deny” that South Africa paid any bribes to win the right to host the tournament. Mbalula characterized the USD10 million as an “above-board payment” to help football development in the Caribbean region of former FIFA Vice President Jack Warner. Mbalula also says the South African government hadn’t yet received details of the indictment from the U.S. Justice Department, which alleges the $10 million was used by South Africa to win favor from Warner and other FIFA voters to back South Africa’s bid in 2004.
SHEIKH Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Qatar Football Association president, says the nation welcomes the Swiss investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He was hitting back at comments from English Football Association Chairman Greg Dyke, who suggested that Qatari football organizers wouldn’t be sleeping very well following the announcement on Tuesday by FIFA President Sepp Blatter that he would be resigning. Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, while Russia is due to host the 2018 tournament. “Mr. Dyke’s instinct to immediately focus on stripping Qatar of the World Cup speaks volumes on his views concerning what will be the first FIFA World Cup to take place in the Middle East,” Sheikh Hamad said, adding that the legal process should be allowed to take its course. The U.S. launched a federal investigation into corruption in world football last week, issuing indictments against 14 current or former football officials on May 27.
IN Seoul, former FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-joon says he will think about whether to run for the FIFA presidency. Chung says “many people” are asking him whether he will run for the post after Sepp Blatter announced he would be stepping down amid a corruption scandal surrounding football ‘s world governing body. Chung told a news conference yesterday: “I’ll carefully think about it before making a decision on whether to participate in the FIFA presidency election.” Chung, who was a FIFA vice president for 17 years before losing his seat in 2011, says he’ll try to meet many figures in the international football community and listen to their opinions. A FIFA official said Tuesday that an election will likely take place between December and March.
UEFA has canceled a meeting in Berlin this weekend where member federations were to discuss ways of opposing a Sepp Blatter-led FIFA. UEFA President Michel Platini says it is better to await developments after Blatter announced plans to resign. Platini also noted the “unpredictable nature” of a U.S. federal investigation into corruption in world football . He says “considering new information is revealed every day, I believe it is wiser to take time to assess the situation.” The 54 UEFA member federations were expected to meet on the sidelines of this weekend’s Champions League final. At least 10 UEFA members are thought to have voted for Blatter despite Platini urging the FIFA president to resign before the election last Friday.
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