Johannesburg, South Africa – Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and prominent figure behind South Africa’s successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, was arrested Wednesday on charges of fraud and theft involving R1.3 million ($72,000), according to South African police.
Jordaan, who has served as SAFA president since 2013 and was re-elected in 2022, appeared in a Johannesburg court, where he denied all charges. Police allege that from 2014 to 2018, Jordaan misused SAFA resources for personal purposes, hiring both a private security firm and a public relations company without board authorization.
According to the police statement, Jordaan is accused of contracting the PR firm after his reputation came under fire following allegations in 2017 by a South African singer and former lawmaker who claimed Jordaan had sexually assaulted her 25 years earlier—a charge he denied.
Jordaan’s arrest follows an extensive investigation by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Johannesburg. Two other individuals—SAFA Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, head of the implicated communications company—were also arrested and have denied any wrongdoing.
The case has raised questions about governance within SAFA, as Jordaan’s alleged actions reportedly bypassed key organizational controls.
