Newsdesk - World Cup Windfall Not For Bonuses; Iraq Face FIFA Ban

(WFI) South African FA (SAFA) President Kirsten Nematandani denies that the anticipated 1billion rand ($136million) payment the SAFA will receive from FIFA will find its way into the hands of officials as bonuses for their part in organizing the World Cup.

Local newspaper reports had alleged that large parts of the windfall would find its way into the hands of LOC and SAFA executives.

Nematandani said SAFA officials met FIFA president Sepp Blatter and FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke two days after the World Cup final and their instructions about the windfall, expected to be paid by September, were straightforward.
"They were very clear - the money is not meant for bonuses," he was quoted by the South African Sunday Times.

Nematandani said that the money would be paid into a trust jointly administered by FIFA and the SAFA, which would also include "someone from the government, someone from football and members in good standing in our community."

"The funds are not meant for utilizing now, they're for long-term projects," he said.
"We are starting to get our development house in order with grassroots projects.”

Nematandani added that he was unsure how much the SAFA would receive, saying only that the SAFA had been guaranteed a certain figure pre-tournament and that this may be exceeded after good ticket sales.

Bin Hammam Concern at Iraq Impasse

AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammam has expressed his “deep concern” after the postponement of the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) elections on Sunday.

The elections were postponed after too few delegates travelled to the Kurdish city of Arbil, where FIFA had ordered they take place due to security concerns.

Iraq, the current AFC Asian Cup holders, now face the risk of international expulsion should FIFA take action.

“The situation in Iraq is of deep concern to AFC and FIFA,” said Bin Hammam.

“I hope the issue will be resolved amicably for the good of Iraqi football.”

The impasse follows allegations that Iraq’s Shi’ite-led government has been trying to remove top officials from sport bodies suspected of having ties to the Sunni-led former government of Saddam Hussein.

IFA President Hussain Sa’eed was previously a senior official on the Olympic Committee controlled by Saddam's son Uday. He faces a challenge from Falah Hassan, who is backed by the government.

FIFA had previously twice suspended Iraq, revoking the most recent ban in March on condition of the new elections.

“All parties need to abide by FIFA’s guidelines, which are very clear,” said Bin Hammam.

“Politics has no place in football and all stakeholders should work together to take Iraqi football forward.

“The game is a great unifying factor in Iraq. The authorities should take care that its credibility is not destroyed.”

Fahmy made FIFA Director of Competitions

CAF General Secretary Mustapha Fahmy has been appointed FIFA Director of Competitions following Jim Brown’s decision to leave the organisation after the World Cup.

Fahmy’s appointment represents the first time someone from outside the Americas or Europe has held such a position.

He succeeds Brown, the Bolivian-born American, who is returning to the US for family reasons after seven years in Zurich.

The experienced Egyptian has served at CAF since 1978, the last 28 years of which have been as general secretary.

Earlier this month he served as FIFA’s general coordinator for the World Cup Final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City.

Prior to that match, in an interview with FIFA.com, Fahmy paid tribute to the World Cup 2010 organizers.

“The organizing committee have managed to complete their mission despite everything that was said initially,” he said.

“Every match has gone ahead without any snags at all. The organizers have been a credit to the African continent in the way they have produced such a wonderful FIFA World Cup."


By INSIDER’s James Corbett.

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