South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan was arrested on Wednesday, facing charges of fraud and theft involving 1.3 million rand ($72,000) for allegedly misusing the association’s resources for personal gain. Police allege that Jordaan, 73, directed funds for private security and a public relations firm between 2014 and 2018 without SAFA board approval.
The charges include hiring the PR firm after a South African singer accused him of sexual assault, allegations he has denied. SAFA’s chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and communications company head Trevor Neethling were also arrested. All three defendants, who denied the charges, were granted bail after appearing in a Johannesburg court.
Jordaan, who has led SAFA since 2013 and played a key role in securing South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, now faces serious legal challenges following an in-depth investigation by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit.
