SAFA disturbed by inaccurate media reports

SAFA is once more disturbed by concerted efforts by Sunday World reporters to discredit the new leadership of football. SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani says Sunday World’s reportage that the Association parted ways with former CEO Raymond Hack because he “refused to splash out R600, 000 on a FIFA Workshop on Robben Island”, is mischievous, and it goes against the basic principle of journalism.

“The SAFA and FIFA strategic retreat at Robben Island is one of the most significant milestones in the history of the Association; and we are grateful to FIFA for the financial and administrative support. The workshop is one of our very first steps in our quest to reclaim our number one spot in the Continent, it is our strategic intent to refine our administration and development programs; and it is unfortunate that Sunday World ignores such a quantum leap in our football and embarks on a campaign to mislead members of the public; and in so doing contradicting a journalist principle of truthfulness in a story”; said Nematandani.

SAFA Vice President responsible for finance Mandla Mazibuko says irresponsible reporting is causing damage to the number one sport in the country; Mazibuko says the new SAFA leadership is always available to members of the fourth estate, and Sunday World’s behaviour cannot be left unchallenged; “ the South African Football Association is a proponent of media freedom and freedom of expression, in order to demonstrate the Association’s commitment to these important democratic ideals, the new leadership of SAFA is always available to the South African Public through various media platforms, and such interactions are always spearheaded by the Association’s President Kirsten Nematandani, and we are always at hand to share the correct information with the media, added Mazibuko.