Fifa financial records 'must be disclosed'

Forensic investigator facing a R4.5m defamation suit has asked a court to force disclosure of documents related to his corruption allegations

- Lyse Comins

The South African Football Association (Safa), its chief executive Danny Jordaan and chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo are facing a legal showdown over the disclosure of financial documents related to an alleged $10 million bribe paid to Fifa in exchange for the country hosting the 2010 World Cup.

Forensic investigator Bart Henderson, who faces a R4.5 million defamation suit launched against him by Safa and its executives, has escalated the legal battle by filing a motion at the Pretoria high court 19 June to compel them to disclose financial records tied to the Fifa Legacy Trust. Henderson's motion pivots the tables in the defamation lawsuit filed against him on 14 August 2023, in which the local football association accuses him of tarnishing its reputation with claims that it paid a $10 million bribe to secure hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup and misappropriated over R600 million from the legacy trust.

Henderson's pursuit of the matter has once again thrust Safa's stewardship of funds meant for football development into the spotlight, exposing an alleged governance crisis that threatens to unravel the legacy of South Africa's 2010 World Cup triumph.

According to court papers, Henderson is demanding that Safa produce critical documents including "all bank statements from the Fifa Legacy Trust's accounts at First National Bank (FNB), Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (Absa), Nedbank and Standard Bank". He also wants "a thorough and itemised report from Safa detailing how the funds from the Fifa Legacy Trust were disbursed".

Henderson's motion states that these records are essential to verifying whether the trust's funds, intended for grassroots football, youth academies and social projects, were used appropriately or diverted for unauthorised purposes, such as "security services for Jordaan and salaries for Safa staff".