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Pretoria - FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke is optimistic investigations into alleged match-fixing before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa are nearing an end.
"Our commitment is to make sure that this story is closed soon. We will bring to the South African authorities the results of our investigations as soon as they are closed," Valcke said in Pretoria on Thursday.
He said closing the matter as soon as possible was in the best interests of all concerned.
"We cannot keep this case open with so many names involved, and we have to clear people if they are to be cleared," Valcke said.
"We have to find out exactly what happened, to find out if someone has really done something on purpose."
The alleged fixing involved the host team Bafana Bafana and their international friendly matches which were used as preparation for the 2010 tournament.
"We are really pushing the ethics committee to see they have one person in charge of this," Valcke said.
"The ethics committee has requested our security department to support them in the investigation. They have changed from one structure to another as part of the reform process from FIFA.
"I agree this should've this case should've been closed already."
Valcke was satisfied there was no interference from the South African government in the investigation, and said FIFA was handling the matter.
"There is no involvement of the government. They are just expecting us to move a bit faster than what they thought when we took over the case.
"For that I apologise, but I say we will do it now."
