SOUTH Africa has denied paying a $10M bribe to secure the 2010 World Cup, in the wake of a U.S. inquiry into corruption at world football body FIFA.Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said the money in question was above board and intended to support football in the African Diaspora in the Caribbean.
The FIFA scandal erupted last week when U.S. prosecutors indicted 14 persons.
On Tuesday, president Sepp Blatter said he was to step down, just days after he had been re-elected for a fifth term.
Of the 14 persons indicted by the U.S. on charges of racketeering and money-laundering, seven were senior FIFA officials, including two vice-presidents. The seven were arrested in Switzerland as they awaited the FIFA congress that re-elected Mr Blatter and are currently awaiting extradition to the U.S.
The U.S. Justice Department alleges the 14 accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150M (£97M) over a 24-year period
U.S. officials quoted in the New York Times also said on Tuesday that Mr Blatter, 79, was under investigation as part of the inquiry. They said they hoped some of the FIFA figures charged would help to build a case against him.

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U.S. officials allege South Africa paid a $10M bribe in exchange for support for its 2010 World Cup bid from former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and several other members of the North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
But in a press conference yesterday, Mr Mbalula said South Africa “categorically denied” the allegation, adding that the money went towards an approved programme to help the development of football in the Caribbean.
The money went into a fund controlled by Mr Warner. (BBC Sport)