The president of world soccer governing body Fifa, Sepp Blatter, on Thursday accepted on behalf of the body one of South Africa’s highest awards.
Blatter, in the country to meet members of the 2010 World Cup organising committee, met President Thabo Mbeki before accepting the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.
The order is a top civil award given to foreigners.
”On behalf of Fifa, I have accepted the famous order of OR Tambo. I feel the dynamism, vitality of the people of South Africa and I have seen them overcome situations that arose from apartheid,” Blatter said.
He said he started working 30 years ago as a development officer in Africa for Fifa, and his credo has not changed.
”I am still the development officer of Fifa,” he quipped.
Said Mbeki: ”The award is being given to Fifa for its exceptional contribution to the development of football in Africa and its contribution to bringing about South Africa’s democracy.”
Mbeki pre-empted questions about the composition of the World Cup local organising committee (LOC) by saying it will be constituted in due time and will include government ministers and members of the soccer fraternity.
”The composition of the LOC will be left up to Fifa,” Mbeki said.
On arrival in the country on Wednesday, Blatter made his stance clear on internal bickering within the South African Football Association (Safa), and particularly apparent hostility towards CEO Danny Jordaan.
He reminded the South African soccer fraternity that the 2010 Soccer World Cup belongs to Fifa and not Safa.
Blatter told reporters he wants Jordaan to be CEO of the World Cup 2010 LOC, as he would be ”perfect for the job” if Irvin Khoza remains LOC chairperson and Molefi Oliphant remains Safa president.
The move was seen to signal Fifa’s dissatisfaction with Oliphant’s public announcement last year that the CEO job would be open for applications.
At the award ceremony, Jordaan, Khoza and Oliphant appeared to be on good terms as they shared jokes with members of the media, Patrice Motsepe, Jomo Sono and other invited guests. — Sapa
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