South African football president Danny Jordaan has been arrested on fraud and theft charges

Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association who helped bring the first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament to Africa in 2010, has been arrested on fraud and theft charges

JOHANNESBURG — South African football boss Danny Jordaan, who helped bring the first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament to Africa, has been arrested on fraud and theft charges.

Jordaan is accused of using around 1.3 million rand ($72,372) of South African Football Association (SAFA) funds to hire a public relations firm and a private security company for his personal benefit.

Jordaan is president of the association and led the country's World Cup bid committee, which secured the rights to host one of South Africa's biggest sporting events in 2010.

His arrest followed a raid by the country's Special Investigation Unit on SAFA's offices in March, “during which a number of electronic devices and files were seized for further investigation, leading to the arrest,” police spokesman Katlego Mogale said.

According to police, Jordaan was arrested along with another officer and a businessman. They are expected to appear in Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

SAFA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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