South African football president Danny Jordaan has been arrested on charges of fraud and theft

South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan, who helped bring the first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament to Africa in 2010, has been arrested on charges of fraud and theft.

JOHANNESBURG — South African football chief Danny Jordaan, who helped bring the first ever FIFA World Cup tournament to Africa, has been arrested on charges of fraud and theft.

Jordaan is accused of using approximately R1.3 million ($72,372) in South African Football Association (SAFA) funds to hire a public relations firm and a private security firm for his personal gain.

Jordaan is chairman of the association and led the country’s World Cup committee, which secured the rights to host one of South Africa’s biggest sporting events in 2010.

His arrest follows a raid by the country’s Special Investigation Unit on SAFA’s offices in March “where an assortment of electronic gadgets and files were seized for further investigation, leading to the arrest,” police spokesman Katlego Mogale said.

According to the police, Jordaan was arrested together with another official and a businessman. They are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

SAFA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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