Safa flouted rules during World Cup

HOW CAN we believe Kirsten Nematandani’s version of what took place at Safa during the 2010 World Cup?

Nematandani says Safa were not corrupt, but instead “naive”.

The former Safa president and his executive must take full responsibility for the decision to give the “rights” to an unknown person to organise four international friendlies in our country.

This is not about being naive, but about flouting the rules.

After the sad saga of Hansie Cronje’s demise, surely Nematandani and his colleagues at Safa were aware of gambling syndicates that operate around big sporting events?

Or was it a case of turning a “blind eye”, then conveniently pleading naivety? As was the case of the $10 million paid out of money allocated to South Africa by Fifa for the 2010 World Cup.

The “gift” was apparently earmarked for the “African diaspora” in the Caribbean (as the story goes), but was paid into Jack Warner’s private account. As Safa president at the time, what are Nematandani’s views regarding this dubious transaction, or were they (Safa) once again just being “naive”?

In 2012, Fifa requested Safa to investigate events regarding the four friendlies, but nothing was done.

It is evident that former Safa chief executive Advocate Leslie Sedibe has been set up as the “fall guy”, while others are still sitting comfortably. Or are they?