Fifa: The $10m was no foul

Speaking to reporters in Samara, Russia, yesterday, Valcke said: 'The money involved came from South African authorities and not Fifa, and the transfer was in line with Fifa regulations.' File photo
Image by: MAXIM ZMEYEV / REUTERS

Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke has come to South Africa's defence, claiming that the controversial $10-million (at present rates over R120-million) payment was above board.

The money went from South Africa to an organisation controlled by Jack Warner, a disgraced former Fifa vice-president.

Speaking to reporters in Samara, Russia, yesterday, Valcke said: "The money involved came from South African authorities and not Fifa, and the transfer was in line with Fifa regulations."

It was the first press conference Valcke has given since the Fifa scandal erupted with the arrest of officials in Zurich last month.

He said: "You have decided that after [Sepp] Blatter I am the head to be cut, fine, but don't use this $10-million because I haven't made any mistake with this."

The SA Football Association refused to comment on Valcke's remarks, and referred inquiries to Minister of Sport Fikile, Mbalula.

He, in turn, referred to a press conference he gave on June 3, and refused to comment further.

At the briefing in Russia, Valcke said that, because of the corruption investigation, Fifa would delay the bidding process to host the 2026 World Cup.

"This is nonsense, to start any bidding process for the time being," Valcke said.

Fifa confirmed the delay in a statement, saying the bidding process would be discussed by its executive committee at a later date.

Valcke said: "Fifa, the sport's international governing body, needs to reform to avoid an image of a corrupt organisation."

There were no major violations in Russia's winning bid to host the 2018 competition, he added.

Fifa said its executive committee will meet next month to determine dates for the extraordinary congress to elect a new president after Blatter announced he was stepping down days after winning a fifth term.

Fifa didn't give a date for either meeting, though the BBC reported the election might be held on December 16, without saying where it got the information from.

The bidding process for the 2026 World Cup was expected to begin soon, with the vote scheduled for 2017, according to Valcke.

The US, Canada and Mexico are expected to compete to hold the tournament, which brings in about $5-billion and provides almost all of Fifa's income.

Valcke was in Russia to meet the local organising committee 45 days before the preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup.

The winning bids by Russia and Qatar, which was awarded the 2022 tournament, are under investigation for corruption by Swiss prosecutors.