Mumble responds to SAFA president with scathing attack

Mumble, responding to remarks made by president Jordaan during a press conference to announce the federation’s new CEO Lydia Monyepao, said he wanted to “set the record straight”. 

This comes after Jordaan was asked why SAFA had an alarming turnover in the role – three days following Tebogo Motlanthe’s surprise resignation. 

Mumble is one of four CEOs under Jordaan’s tenure, with Monyepao, a former Banyana Banyana player appointed chief operations officer in 2021, now the fifth to take up the position. 

In his defence of why that was, the veteran administrator – elected president in 2013 – said Mumble had reached retirement age, Russel Paul got an offer in Qatar, Gay Mokoena was serving as interim CEO, while Motlanthe quit for “personal reasons”. However, SABC Sport reported he was under pressure to cut staff and was tired of feeling like a “glorified clerk” among other issues. 

However, Mumble refuted the explanation as far as his stint was concerned. 

“I worked for SAFA from 1997-2001, then deployed to prepare FNB Stadium for the World Cup for four years and, during that time, conceptualised the design of both SAFA House and FNB Stadium with an architect from Boogertman and Partners,” Mumble told SABC Sport. 

“The NEC never took a decision that my resignation must be accepted. I decided not to renew my contract because of his [Jordaan’s] incessant interference in operational matters. I nevertheless engaged in protracted negotiations with SAFA on condition that I get a written guarantee that he will not interfere. That came to nothing.” 

He added it’s come as a shock to hear and read in the media that he left the association because of his age.  

“There was never a single moment where retirement age was part of a conversation because I was already nearly 60 when I was first appointed. So, he’s a bold-faced liar. The common denominator is that his interference, his abuse of power and his disrespect for other people is palpable. He already humiliated poor Lydia in front of other people during an event in Durban last year, indicating that he will continue to treat her like dirt. The sooner he resigns, the better for South African football,” said Mumble, while also reiterating that he has no desire to work for SAFA again in case his response is labelled sour grapes.