McKenzie tones down Safa threat

Following Sports, Arts & Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie's remarks warning of potential consequences at the SA Football Association (Safa), should Bafana Bafana fail to qualify for Afcon and the World Cup, department spokesperson Rangata-Jacobs has insisted that the Minister's interventions will be within the law. IoL reports that despite Fifa laws against political interference in football matters, McKenzie earlier this month stated that he had issued Safa with a directive to qualify for both tournaments or he would ‘find people who can get the job done’. ‘I’m giving them all the support now, but I can’t be giving people support until kingdom come, who are not performing,’ he said. His spokesperson Rangata-Jacobs has clarified that the Minister’s interventions, if any, will be within the bounds of the law and limits against political interference. Articles 13 and 17 of the Fifa statutes state that member organisations must run their affairs without outside influence. The world’s football governing body has in the past banned countries, such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan because of political interference.