Johannesburg – The South Africa Football Association (Safa) have been dealt a second sponsorship blow this week after Puma announced they would end their relationship with Bafana Bafana with immediate effect in relation to match-fixing claims.
Safa were implicated in a match-fixing scandal following revelations that referees were bribed to fix Bafana Bafana's 2010 World Cup warm-up matches.
The sluggish and chaotic response from Safa has not impressed the apparel sponsors.
"Puma can confirm (we) exercised the right to terminate (our) technical and licensed partnership with the South African Football Association. Following match-fixing allegations made against Safa, along with inappropriate responses from within the football organisation (including the suspension of senior officials), Puma terminated the contract with immediate effect.
“Puma abides by a code of ethics in all areas of (our) business operations and expects (our) partners to adhere to the same values. Puma would like to state that with notable exception to the issues in question (we) enjoyed a good working relationship with Safa, and wishes them well for the future."
Earlier this week, the Soccer-Laduma website (www.soccerladuma.co.za) reported that Absa would not renew their sponsorship of the Bafana Bafana side once the current deal expires in December.
“Absa confirms (we) will conclude (our) sponsorship of the South Africa national soccer team, better known as Bafana Bafana, when the current agreement with the South African Football Association expires at the end of 2013. This follows a review of Absa’s business and brand objectives.” – IOL