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The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been struck with another blow after German Sportswear Company Puma decided to terminate its contract with the Association due to the match-fixing allegations surrounding the national team.
The match-fixing allegations rose last year in a FIFA report which reported that referees were bribed to fix the outcomes of the national team’s friendlies prior to the 2010 World Cup. As a result the SAFA suspended five referees but reversed the decision later, a decision which was criticized by Puma.
“Following match-fixing allegations made against SAFA along with inappropriate responses from within the football organization (including the suspension of senior officials), Puma terminated the contract with immediate effect,” said an official statement released by Puma.
The decision of Puma comes just after one year after starting its association with the nation. Meanwhile, the termination will be a big blow to South Africa, who failed to qualify for the 2014 recently.
