Secretary-General of Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), Jerome Valcke, has responded to the $10 million payment from South Africa to the African Diaspora Legacy Programme, saying it was not FIFA’s money.
Investigations are currently underway by United States (U.S.) Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), following claims that FIFA executive members are involved in corruption, bribery and money laundering.
Involved in the investigations is South Africa for the 2010 World Cup which is said to be awarded to the African continent through bribery to Jack Warner who was in the executive committee of CONCACAF.
However, the South African government has been vocal following the news of this investigation that the payment was legal and was a donation towards the African Diaspora Legacy Programme.
According to media reports since the scandal broke out, a number of emails linking Valcke to the matter proved that he had knowledge of the payment, despite FIFA’s denial that their secretary general was involved and that it was authorised by the chairman of the finance committee, the late Julio Grondona.
“It was not FIFA’s money. It was a request from official South African authorities and SAFA. As long as it is in line with rules, we do it,” Valcke said.
“I don’t understand what’s the problem and why I am such a target in this question. You [the media] have decided that after [Sepp] Blatter [who has resigned] I am the head to be cut, fine, but don’t say it is because of this $10 million dollars.
“I have never been questioned [in the US investigation] and the Swiss police have all the files, and I am happy to answer any question as transparently as I can. I have nothing else to add. What do you want me to add? Do you want me to take things and hit my head, and say ‘yeah, yeah, yeah, I have been stupid – I should have asked many questions’?.”
A former executive member of FIFA, Warner’s deputy at the time, Chuck Blazer, has pleaded guilty in court to having taken some of that money as a bribe to vote for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup.
