Threat to 2010 Cup

2004-06-20 08:48

S'busiso Mseleku

Johannesburg - Fifa president Sepp Blatter this week phoned President Thabo Mbeki and registered his concern about the developments within the SA 2010 World Cup Bid Company.

The call came after Blatter had read a story run by City Press last week that disclosed there was a plot by SA Football Association (Safa) big shots, particularly bid chairperson Irvin Khoza, to oust bid chief executive Danny Jordaan.

It is understood that Blatter spent 45 minutes on the phone to Mbeki and told him the government had a right to put its foot down and ensure things were done properly in preparation for hosting the World Cup in 2010.

Blatter reminded Mbeki that since the government had given financial guarantees for the event, they had the right to ensure that good corporate governance principles were adhered to.

The government is not taking Blatter's concerns lightly. Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile told City Press that deputy president Jacob Zuma was convening a meeting on Friday which will be attended by the World Cup Preparatory Committee made up of Khoza, Jordaan, Tokyo Sexwale and Selwyn Nathan.

The meeting will be held at the sports ministry's offices in Tshwane and will be attended by representatives of the ministries of finance, foreign affairs, safety and security and transport.

The main purpose of Friday's meeting will be "to develop a common understanding of the contractual obligations that government had agreed to", Stofile said.

Commenting on the reported plot to oust Jordaan, Stofile said: "We see this as a personal relationship issue between the two individuals and we don't deal with personality issues. We deal with the structure of Safa.

"If there are financial problems within the bid company, Deloitte and Touche are the auditors and their report should indicate that."

Stofile said it was imperative that an organising committee was put in place as soon as possible and not in January, with both Khoza and Jordaan playing leading roles on it. This has also been the view of Safa president Molefi Oliphant.

Stofile stressed the need for South Africa not to lose "focus on the ball".

"And the ball, in this instance, is to ensure that we stage a successful World Cup in 2010," he added.

Some reports claim that relations between Khoza and Jordaan are so bad that legal action is being contemplated by the parties.

Jordaan's family is now under 24-hour protection from armed guards, a family spokesperson has confirmed.

Sources inside Safa claim the trouble between Khoza and Jordaan started after police arrested Khoza for alleged tax evasion and possession of a gun. Both charges were later dropped.

"Khoza thinks Jordaan was the person who told the police and has never forgiven him," the sources said.

Khoza has steadfastly denied any plot to oust Jordaan. Oliphant told City Press this week he stood by his earlier position that both Khoza and Jordaan should lead the implementation committee.

- City Press