March 10 – The South African government has accused FIFA of not acting decisively enough over match-fixing investigations, notably regarding a series of warm-up games that preceded the 2010 World Cup.
FIFA found strong evidence of manipulation involving South Africa in the weeks before the tournament, including accusations that referees rigged games for illegal Asian betting syndicates.
FIFA agreed in April 2013 to allow the South African government to set up an inquiry. But the lack of progress led FIFA’s ethics committee to start investigating the matter themselves later in the same year – so far without concrete results.
“It has not damaged us (the delay) … it has actually damaged FIFA’s image as very inefficient and very relaxed to allegations of corruption and not dealing with them decisively,” Mbalula told The Associated Press. “It has affected their image. So to rid of that image, they need to deal decisively with this allegation and put it in abeyance.”
In response to South Africa’s complaints, FIFA’s ethics committee told AP it “cannot confirm whether or not there is any investigation pending regarding the subject”.
But Mbalula added: “It is a matter that we need to bring closure to. It’s like an albatross that we are unable to take off our neck.”
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