Danny Jordaan bags FIFA job

FIFA has appointed Danny Jordaan, the Vice-President South African Football Association (SAFA), as its Special Adviser on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Jordaan, the 2010 World Cup Chief Executive, confirmed the appointment to the Southern Africa correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Johannesburg.

He disclosed that he had also been appointed to work with Alexy Sorokin, the head of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, adding that he was pleased with the appointments.

The appointments were confirmed in Zurich, Switzerland, on Wednesday by the world football governing body.

Jordaan will be on the World Cup Organising Committee comprising the world top football administrators, including FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, Continental Confederation presidents and the entire FIFA executive.

“I am very proud and excited to have been asked to serve on this vital committee which supports the backbone of FIFA’s business model.

“The 2010 World Cup, which is acknowledged as the most successful ever, generated approximately 4.2 billion dollars.

“The projected target for Brazil is to grow that by 10 percent,’’ Jordaan said.

He added that FIFA’s organising committee had already received a comprehensive briefing from the Brazilian Organising Committee regarding preparations for all aspects of the event.

“The main task of FIFA committee will be to critically examine Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup to ensure there are no logistical obstacles in the way of this target being achieved. ’’

Jordaan said his appointment was a testimony to South Africa’s credibility in hosting major events and an appropriate recognition of the country’s position as a rising football nation.

“In 2010 we created the benchmark for hosting great and successful events and future World Cups will always be evaluated against what South Africa achieved. ’’

FIFA has criticised the level of preparedness of Brazil toward hosting a successful 2014 World Cup.