FIFA crisis: Letter ‘shows path of South Africa’s $10m’

A new leaked letter appears to show South African authorities seeking an indirect route for the transfer of $10m (£6.5m) to FIFA.
It was written by then South Africa FA Head, Danny Jordaan, three weeks before the first amount was paid.
United States (U.S.) prosecutors say the money was a bribe to FIFA officials to help secure South Africa’s 2010 World Cup bid.
South Africa’s government said the letter did not contradict its statement that this was a legitimate payment.
It says the cash was to fund the development of football for the African diaspora in the Caribbean and that the reporting of the letter in South Africa’s media was “regurgitation and sensational”.
The $10 million payment is a key plank in the wide-ranging U.S. criminal inquiry that has engulfed world football’s governing body.
Seven top FIFA officials, including two vice-presidents, were arrested last week in Switzerland as they awaited FIFA’s congress.
They were among 14 new indictments in the U.S. investigation, which alleges they accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150 million over a 24-year period.
Four other people were charged earlier. One of them, ex-FIFA official Chuck Blazer, has pleaded guilty in the U.S. to taking bribes related to South Africa’s bid.