The logo of German sportswear and equipment maker can be seen at the company’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach, southern Germany, June 21, 2010-AFP
German sportswear giant Puma said Thursday it had terminated its partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) in response to match-rigging claims against the national team.
“Following match-fixing allegations made against SAFA along with inappropriate responses from within the football organisation … Puma terminated the contract with immediate effect,” the world’s third-biggest sportswear maker said.
The company added in a statement that “Puma abides by a code of ethics in all areas of its business operations and expects its partners to adhere to the same values”.
SAFA announced in April that the South African government had set up an independent judicial inquiry to shed light on possible irregularities.
A FIFA report had concluded there was compelling evidence that friendlies had been fixed before the 2010 World Cup.
Four matches are believed to have been rigged: South Africa’s matches against Thailand (4-0), Bulgaria (1-1), Guatemala (5-0) and Colombia (2-1).
The president and director of the South African federation were suspended in late 2012, then reinstated in early January, pending the investigation’s outcome.-AFP