The world football governing body, FIFA has taken issue with certain recent press reports in South Africa on how they interpreted contents of their letter to the South African Football Association (SAFA), dated 20 February 2012, that it said ignored the existence of the LOC governance structure that was, and still is, in place.

In a follow up correspondence to SAFA this week titled ‘2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee: Financial Matters’ , FIFA points out that their financial statements were not limited to a certain period but covered all years of operations including those ended 30 September 2011 and 2012.

In a letter written by FIFA Deputy Secretary General, Markus Kattner, it reads: “I refer to my letter to you of 20 February 2013 and your response of 21 February 2013 in respect of the financial governance processes of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (‘LOC’).

“We have noted that certain recent press articles in South Africa appear to narrowly interpret the contents of my letter to you of 20 February 2013 and ignore the existence of the LOC governance structure that was, and still is, in place. My comments with respect to the LOC financial statements having been subjected to audit and being approved by the AGM of the LOC, covers all years of operations including those ended 30 September 2011 and 2012.”

The FIFA correspondence further points out that the LOC governance structure was set up on the incorporation of the LOC in 2005.

“FIFA has been consulted on all matters concerning the remuneration of Executive and non-Executive directors of the LOC up to the current day under this structure,” read the letter adding that the world governing body had also been consulted in respect of all grants made to SAFA by the LOC up to the current day. “These matters have all been performed in compliance with the governance structures of the LOC.”

Thanking SAFA for delivering the highly successful 2010 World Cup, the FIFA letter concludes by reading: “Let us also not forget the significant financial contribution made to football development through the implementation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust.”