PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
South Africa: FIFA calls for ban against former top football administrator
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – FIFA’s ethics committee on Wednesday called for a six-year ban against Kirsten Nematandani, the former head of the South African Football Association (SAFA), over his alleged role in match-fixing ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
The committee was also seeking lifetime bans over the same offence against a former official from the Zimbabwe Football Association, Jonathan Musavengana, and the ex-coach of Togo's national team, Banna Tchanile.
The FIFA investigation found irregularities in South Africa's friendly matches against Thailand, Bulgaria, Colombia and Guatemala which were all held ahead of the quadrennial showpiece of international football.
Nematandani, the most prominent name cited in the scandal, was placed on "special leave" in December 2012 following a FIFA probe into match-fixing. He was reinstated in January 2013 despite not being cleared of any wrongdoing. However, he subsequently resigned from SAFA.
Meanwhile, SAFA’s current President Danny Jordaan is denying that he is on the run from the FBI regarding a separate probe.
Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula also rejected claims that Jordaan was involved in bribery to secure the hosting of the tournament.
Jordaan has yet to explain why he has engaged top lawyers to act on his behalf and why he has ceased travelling internationally. The probe into Jordaan follows allegations that SAFA was complicit in the alleged bribery of FIFA prior to the 2010 World Cup.
-0- PANA CU/MA 17Aug2016
The committee was also seeking lifetime bans over the same offence against a former official from the Zimbabwe Football Association, Jonathan Musavengana, and the ex-coach of Togo's national team, Banna Tchanile.
The FIFA investigation found irregularities in South Africa's friendly matches against Thailand, Bulgaria, Colombia and Guatemala which were all held ahead of the quadrennial showpiece of international football.
Nematandani, the most prominent name cited in the scandal, was placed on "special leave" in December 2012 following a FIFA probe into match-fixing. He was reinstated in January 2013 despite not being cleared of any wrongdoing. However, he subsequently resigned from SAFA.
Meanwhile, SAFA’s current President Danny Jordaan is denying that he is on the run from the FBI regarding a separate probe.
Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula also rejected claims that Jordaan was involved in bribery to secure the hosting of the tournament.
Jordaan has yet to explain why he has engaged top lawyers to act on his behalf and why he has ceased travelling internationally. The probe into Jordaan follows allegations that SAFA was complicit in the alleged bribery of FIFA prior to the 2010 World Cup.
-0- PANA CU/MA 17Aug2016
