Johannesburg – South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday said the $10 million that US authorities allege was a bribe paid to host the 2010 World Cup was a fully-approved payment to support football among the “African diaspora” in the Caribbean.

“The fact that a payment of $10 million was made to an approved programme above board does not equate to bribery,” he said. “Those who allege should prove their allegations.”