World football’s governing body FIFA has blamed the South African government for inaction over allegations of bribery in pre-2010 World Cup matches featuring Bafana Bafana.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula earlier responded angrily to FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke’s statement that they were taking over the match-fixing probe.

Valcke says the fact that the Sports Department has not set up an independent commission of inquiry as was agreed with Mbalula in a meeting in April has resulted in the decision.

It’s almost a year since the scandal hit the headlines.

Five South African Football Association (Safa) officials including former President Kirsten Nematandani were suspended after they were implicated in a FIFA report.

The matches were organised by convicted match-fixer and Singapore businessman Wilson Raj Perumal of Football 4 U.

The match-fixing case has dented Safa’s image globally and they recently lost their technical sponsor Puma. FIFA feels that their Ethics Committee will handle this case better.

Mbalula was upset when he heard the latest developments. He said Valcke was disrespectful towards South Africa and was undermining the government.

Earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma’s office revealed that they were consulting FIFA.
Source: http://www.sabc.co.za