Safa faces scrutiny over legal funding as VAR and bonuses remain unpaid

South African Football Association (Safa) is facing renewed questions over its financial priorities after confirming it will pay the legal costs of president Danny Jordaan and chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo, who are facing criminal charges.

Jordaan, Hluyo, former acting chief executive Russell Paul and Grit Communications director Trevor Neethling are involved in a long-running case at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court. The group faces charges of theft, fraud and corruption linked to Safa funds.

Safa recently said it had lodged no complaint against Jordaan, Hluyo, Paul or Neethling. It also confirmed that it would cover the legal costs incurred by Jordaan and Hluyo to date, appoint legal counsel to monitor the court proceedings, and formally notify the court of its position.

The association said it would also begin disciplinary action against people who bring the organisation into disrepute.

Jordaan and his co-accused remain innocent until proven guilty. However, Safa’s decision to fund the defence of officials facing independent criminal charges has raised concerns about the organisation’s governance and use of its resources.

The financial support comes despite Safa saying it does not have the R50 million required to introduce video assistant refereeing (VAR). The association said a R20 million grant from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) would not be enough to meet that cost.

Safa has also faced questions over its wider financial position, despite receiving unqualified audits. Its commercial partners, including Standard Bank and Castle Lager, may be concerned if money associated with the organisation is being used for private legal defence rather than football operations.

Although a governing body may keep an emergency reserve, such funds are expected to be used for genuine organisational emergencies. The issue has become more contentious after reports that Safa had to downsize its staff to reduce operating costs.

Outstanding player bonuses are another unresolved matter. There has been no official communication from Hluyo’s office confirming whether delayed World Cup bonuses have been paid. That uncertainty remains alongside staff reductions and the wider financial pressures facing the association.

Honorariums before Safa elections

The payment of honorariums shortly before Safa’s recent elective congress has also prompted debate. Some believe the money should instead have been used to settle player bonuses, while others argue it had already been allocated for administrative honorariums and therefore had to be distributed.

The controversy has intensified because Safa experienced serious financial constraints during the appointment of Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, with contract negotiations being prolonged.

At the same time, CAF has announced an increase in annual grants for football development to roughly R11.6 million per member association. Fifa are also said to be considering a subsidy exceeding R400 million every quadrennial.

The expectation across South African football is that those funds will be used for their intended development purposes, rather than toward the personal legal costs of officials accused of wrongdoing against the association.