In this Saturday, May 15, 2004 file photo former South African President Nelson Mandela, right, is lead to the podium by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, of Switzerland, left, after learning that South Africa will host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in Zurich, Switzerland. (AP)Cape Town, AP—A newspaper claims it has a 2007 email that shows FIFA President Sepp Blatter and then-South African President Thabo Mbeki held “discussions” over a 10 million US dollar payment to allegedly corrupt soccer executives.
South Africa’s Sunday Times reports that the email from FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke to the South African government asks when the 10 million dollars will be transferred.
The newspaper says that in the email, which was not published, Valcke writes that the 10 million dollars is “based on discussions between FIFA and the South African government, and also between our President (Blatter) and President Thabo Mbeki.”
American investigators allege that the 10 million dollars was payback for three senior FIFA executives voting for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup.
FIFA and the South African government say it was money meant for legitimate soccer development.
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Source: Asharq Alawsat
Full Article: FIFA email connects Sepp Blatter to million, newspaper claims
