South Africa Football Chief Arrested on Fraud, Theft Charges

South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan has been arrested and charged with fraud and theft, accused of using the organization’s resources for personal gain totaling 1.3 million rand ($72,000). The allegations stem from Jordaan’s hiring of a private security company for his own protection and a public relations company without authorization from the SAFA board between 2014 and 2018 ¹.

Jordaan, 73, who led South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, denied the charges in a Johannesburg court. This isn’t Jordaan’s first controversy; in 2017, a South African singer and former lawmaker alleged he had sexually assaulted her 25 years prior, prompting him to hire a public relations firm to repair his reputation.

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The arrest follows an intensive investigation by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation based in Johannesburg. Jordaan has served as SAFA president since 2013 and was re-elected for a third term in 2022. SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, head of the communications company cited in the charges, were also arrested and denied the accusations. The three defendants have been granted bail.