Puma Ends South Africa Deal After Match-Fixing Scandal

October 17, 2013

German sportswear brand Puma has ended its association with the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) in the wake of a match-fixing scandal involving the men’s national team.

A FIFA investigation in December found ‘compelling evidence’ that the outcomes of four South Africa friendly matches had been fixed. The games in question, against Thailand, Bulgaira, Colombia and Guatemala, took place prior to South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup.

A Puma statement read: “Following match fixing allegations made against Safa along with inappropriate responses from within the football organisation (including the suspension of senior officials), PUMA terminated the contract with immediate effect

“PUMA abides by a code of ethics in all areas of its business operations and expects its partners to adhere to the same values.

“PUMA would like to state that with notable exception to the issues in question it enjoyed a good working relationship with SAFA, and wishes them well for the future.”

Five officials were initially suspended as a result of the allegations, before the SAFA reversed this decision and reinstated them a moth later, pending further investigation. 

The news comes two days after the banking group Absa announced it would end its six-year association with the South African team when their current contract expires in December. 

South Africa did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup, becoming the first hosts of a World Cup to miss the next edition for 25 years.