South African soccer chief arrested and bailed

Staff WritersReuters
Camera IconSouth Africa soccer boss Danny Jordaan, pictured ahead of the 2010 World Cup, has been arrested. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP

The president of South Africa's football federation has been arrested over allegations he used the organisation's money for his own purposes.

Danny Jordaan, a leading figure in bringing the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, had tried to get a court to halt Wednesday's arrest a day earlier. The case has been adjourned to December 5.

Jordaan, who was granted bail for 20,000 rand ($1,110), denies any wrongdoing.

The arrest stems from a raid by police on South African Football Association (SAFA) offices in March.

A police spokesperson said at the time the allegations were that between 2014 and 2018 "the president of SAFA used the organisation's resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board".

The 73-year-old's co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, were also granted bail.

Neither Jordaan nor the SAFA responded to a request for comment from Reuters.

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