Bailey rejects ‘disgruntled’ label amid SAFA governance concerns

Mihlali Baleka|Published 2 minutes ago

Former Safa vice-president Bennet Bailey has hit back against claims that former officials are speaking out against the association simply out of bitterness, insisting his concerns are grounded strictly in merit.

Bailey was not re-elected as one of Danny Jordaan’s deputies after openly opposing the incumbent's camp and endorsing challenger Sandile Zungu ahead of the recent Safa elective congress.

Citing the need for a new direction and fresh perspective within the Safa hierarchy, Bailey previously raised red flags over honorarium payments distributed to NEC members in the build-up to the elective congress, arguing the move damaged the organisation's public standing.

Following the landslide victory of Jordaan’s Football Transformation Forum (FTF) over Zungu’s Save Our Safa (SOS) campaign, Bailey lost his seat on the NEC and vacated his vice-presidency – a role now held by Tankiso Modipa — who was very vocal in his backing of Jordaan "to safeguard Safa's ways".

Safa recently announced that its newly elected NEC resolved to back Jordaan in his ongoing court proceedings against the association, while warning it will take action against former "disgruntled" officials who bring the association or its current leadership into disrepute. Bailey, however, rejected that characterisation.

“When people raise issues, let’s not try to dismiss them by saying those are disgruntled people. Go into the matter and look at the merits of the case before trying to dismiss it. That’s all I am asking. Stop using the ‘disgruntled’ label as a get-out-of-jail card,” Bailey exclusively told IOL Sport.

Bailey went on to emphasise that his contribution to sports administration extends far beyond the Safa NEC, highlighting his ongoing leadership roles across multiple sporting and legal bodies.

His current responsibilities include serving as Safa Cape Town president, chairperson of the Professional Darts Association of South Africa, board chairperson for Western Cape football academies, executive member of the Western Cape Sports Federation, and member of both the Fifa Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Sascoc Legal Committee.

“I am deeply involved. My commitment doesn’t end with Safa – my involvement in sport is ingrained in who I am as a person,” Bailey said. “That is why a title will not define my role in sport; my service will.”