South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan has been released on bail amid allegations he used the organisation’s funds for personal gain.
The country’s organised crime investigation unit, Hawks, has been looking into claims of fraud and theft at Safa between 2014 and 2018 amounting to 1.3m rand ($72,000, £57,000).
Jordaan is alleged to have hired a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company without authorisation from the Safa board.
The 73-year-old, who was a key figure in bringing the 2010 Fifa World Cup to South Africa and has been Safa president since 2013, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared at Palm Ridge Magistrates court in Johannesburg.
Safa’s chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, who appeared in court alongside Jordaan, were also released on bail.
The three men were warned about contacting potential state witnesses who could testify against them, and the case was adjourned until 5 December.
Jordaan reportedly filed a court application on Tuesday, with an affidavit denying any wrongdoing, in an attempt to block his arrest by Hawks.
In March, the unit raided Safa offices in Johannesburg, confiscating a laptop, USBs, external hard drives and documents.
A Safa official told BBC Sport Africa he did not have further details about the case.
Jordaan has faced growing scrutiny amid ongoing allegations of mismanagement and corruption within South African football – but has maintained his innocence and is reportedly seeking a fourth term as Safa president.
Critics of Jordaan have called on him to resign, pointing to the failure of the men’s national team to qualify for a World Cup since 2010 as well as the country’s deteriorating grassroots football infrastructure.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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