Johannesburg – New South African Football Association (Safa) President Danny Jordaan says he has no concerns following the confirmation this week of the withdrawal of both Absa and Puma as sponsors of Safa.
Puma released a statement on Thursday confirming their withdrawal as kit sponsors, over Safa’s poor handling of much-documented match-fixing allegations.
“Puma can confirm it exercised the right to terminate its technical and licensed partnership with the South African Football Association (Safa),” a statement from Puma said.
“Following match fixing allegations made against Safa along with inappropriate responses from within the football organisation (including the suspension of senior officials), Puma terminated the contract with immediate effect.”
Jordaan, however, dismissed the statement as old news, and nothing to do with the new regime, with the new president sworn in on September 28.
“Puma pulled out in January of this year, everybody in this country knows Puma withdrew,” said Jordaan on Thursday.
“That story is 10 months old. The media wrote about all of 10 months ago. Why is it relevant now?”
The Safa president added that Absa had also withdrawn their sponsorship before the September 28 Safa presidential elections.
“Absa pulled out on the 26th of September,” said Jordaan.
“They never met with the new executive.”
Jordaan expressed confidence that the new regime could bring new sponsors into the fold.
“We are working with our own financial plan, the financial turnaround plan is there, so we don’t have concern.
“These things pre-date the election of the new president.
“We have presented a new vision for football in this country, and have found nothing but praise and support. There is nothing we can do about the historical position of Safa and those people who have pulled out.
“I have no doubt that we will have new partners and we will announce new partners that share our vision.”
The Star