In recent years, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has seen its fair share of controversy, particularly surrounding governance, accountability, and electoral integrity. As a passionate supporter of South African football, I am deeply concerned about the recent re-election of Danny Jordaan as President of SAFA for yet another term. It is time to demand transparency and uphold the values that South African football deserves.

Football is not just a sport—it's a lifeline bringing communities together, inspiring young talents, and representing our nation on an international stage. However, when those at the helm fail to adhere to principles of good governance, it erodes the trust and support of the fans, players, and stakeholders who give their all to the beautiful game.

The tenure of Mr. Jordaan has been overshadowed by numerous allegations, from inadequate financial management to a lack of transparency in decision-making processes. According to reports from reputable sources such as the local sports news agencies and investigative journalists, questions remain about electoral processes within the association, and many argue that these processes lack the fairness and integrity necessary to genuinely represent the aspirations of South African football enthusiasts.

Moreover, there have been persistent calls for reform that have gone unheeded in a structure that seems impervious to change. Just last year, a rally organized by football enthusiasts highlighted issues such as financial mismanagement and called for greater accountability within SAFA. Despite these efforts, little has changed.

We, the undersigned supporters of South African football, call upon the competent organs of the South African Football Association and the appropriate independent sporting and legal institutions to initiate an independent review of the governance and electoral circumstances surrounding the re-election of Dr Danny Jordaan as SAFA President on 12 September 2026.We do not ask any institution to treat allegations as proven merely because they have been published. We ask for the opposite: an impartial process in which the underlying evidence is preserved, disclosed where lawful, independently tested, and determined according to the applicable rules and law.

We are concerned by the cumulative record concerning:
The constitutional concentration of authority and disputed changes to SAFA's governance framework;

The independence and administration of the electoral process, including regional elections, delegate eligibility and the treatment of electoral disputes; 

The suspension and expulsion of elected NEC members amid serious internal governance disagreements;

·        allegations concerning SAFA's financial administration and the 2010 World Cup Legacy Trust;

·        allegations and unresolved questions concerning the Fun Valley/National Technical Centre acquisition and related expenditure;

·        questions raised before Parliament concerning the accuracy and completeness of SAFA's representations to the Portfolio Committee;

·        the existence of pending criminal proceedings involving the SAFA President and other accused persons in relation to alleged misuse of SAFA resources;

·        the absence of sufficiently independent domestic mechanisms for resolving disputes in which SAFA itself is the respondent or interested party; and

·        the absence of effective presidential term limits and the resulting risk of entrenched leadership.

We therefore call for:
1.        an independent audit of the entire 2026 SAFA electoral process;

2.        preservation and independent examination of all relevant electoral and governance records;

3.        an independent constitutional audit of the SAFA Statutes and their amendments;

4.        an independent forensic examination of the financial matters identified in the supporting dossier;

5.        an independent review of the disciplinary and expulsion processes affecting elected NEC members;

6.        an independent assessment of the conflict-of-interest implications of a sitting SAFA President remaining in office while facing pending criminal proceedings concerning SAFA;

7.        the establishment of an independent South African mechanism for football governance and electoral disputes;

8.        the introduction of reasonable presidential term limits and stronger separation between electoral administration and incumbent office-bearers; and

9.        where an authorised independent body determines that material constitutional, electoral, fiduciary or ethical breaches occurred, the application of the lawful remedy, including removal or a fresh election where the applicable rules permit and require it.

Our standard
This petition is not a demand for political control of football. It is a demand for lawful accountability. FIFA autonomy should protect football from improper political interference; it should not make a South African football association immune from South African law, independent adjudication, financial scrutiny or procedural fairness.We ask football's institutions to protect the game by protecting its governance: no president, faction, committee, region or association should be able to become the final judge of its own conduct.

Supporting evidence
The petition is supported by the accompanying Formal Governance and Accountability Dossier, which distinguishes established facts from allegations and identifies the underlying evidence requiring verification. No Facebook, X, Instagram or TikTok material is relied upon.

Independent reporting confirms that Jordaan was re-elected 157–82 on 12 September 2026, that significant electoral controversy preceded the vote, and that criminal proceedings remain pending. �cite�turn0news14�turn0news8�

Parliament's official guidance confirms that public petitions may seek redress of a grievance, but matters currently before courts or tribunals may be excluded from parliamentary petition procedures. The online petition should therefore be treated as a public accountability instrument, while formal legal remedies are pursued through their proper channels. �cite�turn2search0�turn2search1�

Suggested decision-makers
·        SAFA Congress and competent SAFA governance organs

·        SASCOC

·        FIFA and CAF

·        Premier Soccer League and appropriate professional-football structures

·        Relevant South African sporting and legal oversight institutions

Publication and signature standard
Signatories should be asked to support the principles and requested independent review, not to certify that any individual committed a crime.

With your support, we can send a strong message to SAFA. We believe in a system where leaders inspire and innovate rather than coast on past achievements. We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action by calling for a review of the electoral process in SAFA, reinforcing governance structures and ensuring that those in power are working for the greater good of all South Africans.

Sign this petition to stand with us in demanding a SAFA that is transparent, accountable, and truly representative of South African football fans. Let's reclaim the spirit of fairness and excellence in our nation's most beloved sport.