South Africa rejects FIFA claim of World Cup bribe

ByReuters

Updated 17/03/2016 at 12:39 GMT

South Africa rejects FIFA's claim that a $10 million (£6.95m) bribe was paid by the country to win the right to host the World Cup in 2010, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday.

Fireworks explode at the conclusion of the 2010 World Cup final at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg

Image credit: Reuters

"South Africa did not pay any bribe nor did it illegally obtain the right to host the World Cup," he told a news conference in Cape Town.

He said FIFA must retract its statement made on Wednesday, when it sought restitution in US courts from former FIFA executive committee members it said had accepted bribes in the awarding of World Cup hosting rights.

"We paid money to a legacy project in the African Diaspora in the Caribbean," Mbalula said.

World Cup

On This Day: RIP Brazil - The night football changed forever

08/07/2020 at 16:10

World Cup

Rooney 'going through transition, just like I did' says Giggs - but is he right?

12/10/2016 at 12:16

World Cup

Pelle thrown out of Italy squad for refusing to shake manager's hand

07/10/2016 at 11:54

World Cup

O'Neill: It's a tough group and we've still got a million miles to go

07/10/2016 at 08:07

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me