South Africa have again denied that a payment of $10 million to former FIFA vice president Jack Warner during their successful bid for the 2010 World Cup was a bribe.
Sports minister Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday told a news conference that neither South Africa’s government nor the 2010 World Cup bid and organising committee bought votes for the right to host the finals.
It was the second time he would deny the allegation in recent days.
He spoke again today, amid an earlier expectation that members of the 2010 World Cup would address the media. But they did not show up, as reporters were told only Mbalula with speak to the press.
It means that organising committee chairman Irvin Khoza and high profile chief executive officer Danny Jordaan remain to address allegations that the South African bid team agreed a $10 million inducement to former FIFA vice president Jack Warner and other CONCACAF members in return for their votes.