FIFA Warns S’Africa Against Interference

FIFA has written to the South African  Government  warning it against carrying out a judicial inquiry into the recent football match- fixing scandals in the .country.

FIFA said the matter should rather be handled by the country’s football association.

Several of South Africa’s warm-ups before they hosted the 2010 World Cup were found to have  been  fixed, which led to the brief suspension of senior South African Football Association  (SAFA) officials, including its President Kirsten Nematandani.

South Africa’s Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) recommended a  judicial commission of inquiry but FIFA warned them of possible consequences should the

government be seen to be intervening in football matters.

South Africa’s Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula told local media he would travel to FIFA  headquarters in Zurich next week to discuss the issue with the world football’s governing body.

“SASCOC have made a recommendation to us that we must go ahead with a judicial    commission of inquiry into the matter,” Mbalula said.

“Match-fixing is about fraud, corruption and mismanagement. There is a rule of law in South  Africa. Where there are suspicions, they must be investigated. SAFA must understand that you can’t be a referee and player at the same time,” he said.

SAFA vice president Danny Jordaan told Reuters his organisation had already asked police to  investigate the matter.