Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and a central figure in securing South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup hosting, was arrested on Wednesday, facing charges of fraud and theft. Authorities allege he misappropriated 1.3 million rand (around $72,000) of SAFA funds for personal use, as detailed in a police report.
The 73-year-old Jordaan appeared in court in Johannesburg, firmly denying the charges. The allegations relate to his activities between 2014 and 2018, during which he is accused of using SAFA’s resources without board approval. The police statement indicates that he hired a private security service for personal protection and engaged a public relations firm without SAFA’s consent.
This investigation, led by the Serious Commercial Crime unit, has brought to light Jordaan’s alleged misuse of funds. The PR firm’s role appears to be connected to Jordaan’s response to a 2017 scandal when a South African singer and former lawmaker accused him of a decades-old sexual assault, which Jordaan strongly denied.
Alongside Jordaan, SAFA’s chief financial officer, Gronie Hluyo, and Trevor Neethling, head of the communications company involved, are also facing charges. Both Hluyo and Neethling have denied any wrongdoing. All three men were released on bail as the legal process unfolds, with Jordaan, who has been SAFA’s president since 2013 and was re-elected in 2022, maintaining his innocence.
