This month in history

International Relations / Africa News

3 July 1992 Fifa reinstates South Africa’s membership

Thirty-one years after being expelled, South Africa had its membership of the Football International Federation Association (Fifa) reinstated on 3 July 1992.

In 1956, the South African government introduced its first racist policy on sport. Prior to this, in keeping with pre-apartheid segregation, leagues had been divided according to race. Black-owned football clubs were officially not recognised as equal members with white-owned clubs.

South Africa was readmitted to the international soccer body for the second time in July 1992. The reinstatement of South Africa was motivated by the government of South Africa's release of all political prisoners and the open negotiation process of all political parties in South Africa. (Sahistory.org)