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STELLENBOSCH, South Africa (AP) — The allegations of corruption in international soccer are casting a new light on the decision to make South Africa the host of the continent's first World Cup five years ago.
The decision was seen as a reward for Nelson Mandela and a country that had shaken off decades of apartheid. But now there are allegations that South Africa's bid was connected to bribes of more than $10 million to secure the votes of soccer federation members -- possibly with the knowledge of the South African government.
The allegations against two unidentified senior South African bid officials, and against those who are said to have sought the bribes, were contained in the indictment released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Justice. It detailed over two decades of corruption in world soccer.
South Africa's sports minister says his government is requesting a copy of the indictment. He says the government wasn't involved in any wrongdoing over the World Cup bid.
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