Jordaan accuses South African rival of organising smear campaign

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

June 26 – Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the South Africa 2010 World Cup, has accused Irvin Khoza, the chairman of the Organising Committee, of launching a public smear campaign against him.

It followed allegations in a South African newspaper that claimed Jordaan’s brother had benefited from the World Cup after receiving a hospitality contract.

Jordaan angrily hit back by claiming that the allegations were the result of a “malicious” smear campaign by Khoza.

He said: ”I know about the war he [Khoza] said was coming after the World Cup.

“This campaign is against me and how I cannot run or handle this event [the World Cup.

“I know why so many questions are being asked about my brother.

This issue has nothing to do with him.

“I have never in my 17 years in football taken any money from anyone.

“All I have is my name and I will not have it tarnished for malicious reasons – not after I fought so hard for this country.”

Jordaan and Khoza, who is also the chairman of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and owns South Africa’s best-known club, the Orlando Pirates, have had a difficult relationship stretching back several years.

The Mail & Guardian had reported that that Andrew Jordaan, Danny’s younger brother, was appointed last year as liaison officer in Port Elizabeth for Match Event Services.

Match Event Services is a South African subsidiary of Match AG, the ticketing and hospitality partner of football’s ruling body FIFA.

The paper said Andrew Jordaan’s company, in which he is listed as the only member, was appointed in March 2009 to act as go-between between Match and hospitality providers in the city.

According to the paper, the contract is worth 200,000 rand (£17,552/$26,666) a month.

Earlier this year, Khoza launched a bid to become the new President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), where his opponents were due to include Danny Jordaan.

Technically, Jordaan is still the chief executive of SAFA but for the last few years has been working organising the World Cup.

But on the eve of the vote, both men withdrew from the race and Kirsten Nematandani, a Jordaan loyalist, was elected.

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