South African football fans
The Stream

South Africans’ response to FIFA scandal: #DenyEverything

Amid corruption allegations, Twitter users jokingly dismiss anything related to hosting the 2010 World Cup.

South Africans are making fun of their country for denying the allegation that officials paid $10 million in bribes to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Using #DenyEverything, Twitter users mocked the sport minister Fikile Mbalula, who dismissed the accusation and said the money was given to a FIFA official for a football development fund. The hashtag was used more than 25,000 times

The allegations come after a US investigation revealed former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer and others accepted bribes in relation to the 2010 World Cup. The findings are part of a larger corruption case against FIFA practices. 

Online, some shared memes of politicians including Mbalula, former President Nelson Mandela and current President Jacob Zuma.