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The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced drastic salary cuts for its highest-paid officials following a tense National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mbombela on 14 October, 2025. The move, aimed at stabilising the association’s finances, affects employees earning above R600,000 annually, sparking outrage among senior executives and NEC members.
What Happened?
SAFA’s leadership has approved salary reductions between 5% and 25%, depending on income levels, as part of a financial rescue plan. The decision comes amid growing fears of insolvency within the organisation.
Sources inside the federation revealed that the cuts target CEOs, directors, and NEC members who receive sizable — performance-related stipends often exceeding the R600,000 mark.
The crisis follows years of questionable spending and declining revenue. In 2022, SAFA reportedly paid over R20.8 million in backdated honorariums to its 40-member NEC, averaging nearly R400,000 per member for less than three years’ service — a move widely criticised as vote-buying.
Despite SAFA’s official statement describing the meeting’s resolutions as “important decisions for sustainability,” no public details were given, leaving insiders to confirm the scope of the cuts.
Official Response
A senior SAFA communications officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“The association is not immune to financial pressures. These measures are necessary to ensure long-term survival while protecting lower-income employees.”
No NEC member has publicly commented on the decision, but internal reports suggest rising discontent among senior officials who view the reductions as unfair and politically motivated.
Economist Mandla Dlamini noted that SAFA’s move mirrors global trends where sports bodies cut costs amid declining sponsorships and match-day revenues.
Community Impact
The announcement has triggered mixed reactions from the football community. While some grassroots administrators have welcomed the decision as long overdue, others worry it could deepen divisions within the already fragile federation.
Fans and regional officials are now urging SAFA to publish a full financial report to rebuild trust and demonstrate genuine reform.
