Danny Jordaan remains at the helm of SAFA despite ongoing fraud allegations and rising concerns about governance. As sponsors pull back and critics call for change, Jordaan insists he is the target of a smear campaign and has refused to step aside while the legal process unfolds.
Danny Jordaan continues to hold his position as president of the South African Football Association even as the organisation faces one of the most turbulent periods in its recent history. More than a year after fraud allegations were first levelled against him, Jordaan has remained unshaken, insisting that the claims are part of a coordinated smear campaign driven by former SAFA officials with personal grievances.
The case against Jordaan and the association’s Chief Financial Officer centres on allegations that SAFA funds were misused, including payments allegedly made to a public-relations firm and a private security company that critics claim offered Jordaan personal benefit. While some of the initial charges were withdrawn earlier this year, key fraud and conspiracy charges remain before the court.
Despite the storm, SAFA’s National Executive Committee has continued to back Jordaan. Senior members have publicly stated that he will not face internal disciplinary action unless the court process concludes with an adverse finding. Until then, they argue, he should continue to lead the organisation without interference.
This stance has not softened the public scrutiny around SAFA. The association’s governance record has been heavily criticised in recent years, and the legal case against its president has further eroded confidence. Several sponsors are believed to be distancing themselves, concerned that the ongoing controversy is damaging the credibility of South African football.
Industry observers note that Jordaan’s identity has become inseparable from SAFA’s brand, creating a situation where the organisation’s image rises and falls with his own. This has placed additional pressure on the association’s leadership as they attempt to balance the legal presumption of innocence with growing demands for accountability.
Complicating matters further, the case has expanded, with an additional accused added in November. This has raised more questions about the scale of the alleged misgovernance and the broader structures that allowed it to go unchallenged for so long.
For now, Jordaan maintains his grip on the presidency. He has pledged to guide SAFA through the turbulence and has dismissed calls for him to step aside as premature and politically motivated. Yet the mood within South African football remains unsettled. Many within the sport believe that SAFA is at a crossroads and that its credibility, financial stability and long-term future hinge on how this chapter is resolved.
