The South African Football Association (SAFA) has responded to recent speculations surrounding the distribution of AFCON bonuses for Bafana Bafana players, shedding light on the financial compensation scenario.
This clarification follows reports raising uncertainty about the bonus payouts for the Bafana Bafana squad’s commendable performance in the 2023 AFCON tournament held in Ivory Coast.
Financial Recap of Bafana Bafana’s AFCON Success:
South Africa secured approximately R46.9 million for their outstanding third-place finish at the recently concluded 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Despite the financial success, SAFA president Danny Jordaan had refrained from divulging specifics when initially questioned about bonus payments upon the national team’s return from Abidjan.
Confidentiality of Bonus Agreements:
In a statement released on Friday, SAFA emphasized that the details of the bonus agreement are confidential. The association acknowledged concerns surrounding reports suggesting that Bafana Bafana might face challenges receiving their bonuses.
According to SAFA, a contract was signed with senior players before the AFCON departure, outlining agreed-upon payments and bonuses based on the team’s performance in the tournament.
Transparent Timeline and Allocation of Bonuses:
SAFA sought to clarify the timeline and allocation of AFCON bonuses for Bafana Bafana players.
All agreed-upon payments and bonuses are set to be disbursed promptly upon the receipt of prize money from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). SAFA assured that any remaining funds would be dedicated to furthering football development within the country.
Financial Support for Junior National Teams:
Highlighting the financial intricacies, SAFA underscored the critical role senior national teams play in funding junior national teams.
The funds are instrumental in facilitating access to preparation camps and competitive fixtures for the junior teams. Importantly, SAFA clarified that these funds are not intended for the national executive committee members or any SAFA staff.
Transparent Financial Accountability:
As part of their commitment to transparency, SAFA emphasized that they are accountable to CAF for the funds awarded by the continental body.
The SAFA Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is entrusted with the responsibility of effecting payments to players’ bank accounts upon receiving funds from CAF.
Both the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and CFO will provide detailed accounts to CAF regarding the utilization of the received funds.
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