Danny Jordaan, chief executive of South Africa's Local Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cup, on Saturday rejected media reports that he had improperly arranged for his brother to benefit from the tournament.
Jordaan was responding to claims in the Mail & Guardian newspapers in Johannesburg on Friday that his brother was cashing in on the World Cup through a hospitality contract.
The Mail & Guardian also said there are tensions between Jordaan and Irvin Khoza, who is chairman of South Africa's FIFA's Local Organizing Committee for the FIFA, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported.
During a media conference held at Johannesburg's Soccer City on Saturday, Jordaan said: "I cannot comment on that. All I know is that we are focused on dealing with the World Cup."
Jordaan also dismissed as "nonsense" South African media's repeated insistence on referring back to last year's South Africa Football Association (SAFA) elections, insinuating that there was tension between himself and Khoza.
Both Jordaan and Khoza stood for the SAFA presidency but withdrew at the last minute, allowing Kirsten Nematanandi to be elected. Nematanandi is seen by the South African media as a supporter of Jordaan.
According to SAPA, on Saturday Jordaan challenged reports by the Mail & Guardian that he had submitted an affidavit to his lawyers in an effort to take legal steps against the newspaper.
"Do you know the lawyers?" he asked.
"I'd be happy if you gave me their names."
Jordaan said he and Khoza were focused on ensuring a smooth tournament for players and fans.
However, he said that the failure of most African teams to qualify for the knock out round of the World Cup was a disappointment.
Of six African participants, only Ghana pulled through to play the United States on Saturday afternoon.
Host nation South Africa, along with Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire, failed to go further in the first FIFA World Cup on the African soil in FIFA's 106-year history.
South Africa's FIFA World Cup boss denies helping brother benefit from tournament
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I do hope this is not true. Countries would like to host World Cup in order to help boost the economy and tourism of their countries - not for their personal gains. Why can't we just enjoy the games?
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