Mbalula denies $10m bribe

Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula

Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula

Published May 29, 2015

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JOHANNESBURG: The government has firmly denied during a media briefing at Sascoc (SA Sports Confe- deration and Olympic Committee) House in Johannesburg yesterday allegations of bribery over the awarding of the 2010 World Cup.

The US’s FBI is investigating the claims which on Wednesday saw the arrest of a number of top Fifa officials at its Switzerland headquarters.

Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula denied the allegations that a $10 million (R121m) bribe had been paid by a South African official to secure the rights to host the event.

“We don’t have to wait for an indictment because there is nothing to indicate we have been involved,” said Mbalula.

The amount in question was steadfastly refuted by Mbalula. “We must be respected. There’s no amount of $10m to bribe anyone.”

Though the government had not yet had direct contact with the US, Mbalula said the ministry would co-operate.

“It’s a serious matter, it’s important and we need to co-operate. It does constitute an element of disregard between the two countries as we were not made aware first.”

On Wednesday US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner obtained the $10m bribe from the South African government to host the 2010 World Cup.

Mbalula said: “You allege that two South Africans are involved, that is speculation. The indictment process will indicate if any of our people are involved.

“It’s a smear campaign, I don’t know $10m.

I have not seen it with my eyes. We must not be allowed to be abused and our integrity questioned.”

Mbalula said he had recently met Fifa president Sepp Blatter on the issue of match-fixing leading up to the 2010 World Cup. “I met Sepp Blatter in Zurich. June is the deadline to give us the report-back on match-fixing allegations. I’m still waiting for Fifa to give us feedback.” – ANA

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