Gayton McKenzie seeks FIFA meeting over embattled SAFA chief Danny Jordaan's fraud charges

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie wants to meet with FIFA president Gianni Infantino to discuss what should be done with embattled SAFA boss Danny Jordaan.

Jordaan was arrested earlier this month, and is facing fraud and theft charges after allegations he used SAFA’s coffers as his own.

The case against Jordaan was initiated by William Mooka, a former vice-president of SAFA, who opened a criminal case in 2020. He was supported by affidavits from another former vice-president, Lucas Nhlapo, and the association’s longest-serving CEO, Dennis Mumble.

Jordaan and his co-accused were released on R20 000 bail after their arrest, and his legal team claimed the charges were part of a smear campaign by disgruntled former employees.

On Friday, McKenzie, speaking at a ceremony honouring South Africa’s Paris Olympics medallists at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, said he had written to Infantino to discuss the steps he can take against Jordaan.

FIFA does not allow governmental interference in the running of football, and should McKenzie force Jordaan out, South Africa could once again be banned by the sport’s governing body.

“I’m concerned by what’s happening,” McKenzie was quoted by FARPost on Friday.

“I’ll not be a leader and a minister if I’m not concerned. But I must also say to you that rules are rules. FIFA has rules of non-interference by politicians. So, the same people that want me to interfere are the same people that will hate me tomorrow if we get expelled by FIFA.”

There have been calls for Jordaan to step down from his role since his arrest, and while McKenzie has not yet got himself involved, he said he was keeping an eye on the developments surrounding Jordaan’s arrest and charges.

IOL Sport