Saido Berahino Foundation: Ex-West Brom star's charity fund defended

Yesterday the Express & Star revealed how the Charity Commission is looking into the Saido Berahino Foundation (SBF) after it was revealed WaterAid received no donation following a lavish party in London.

WaterAid said it believed it would be getting a donation from a gala fundraiser held in London's Park Lane in May 2015.

• MORE: The foundation is to be probed by the charity commission

• MORE: Lavish launch party but what happened next?

But the Stoke City striker's representatives said the player did not promise the charity any money and that he hopes to return to Burundi this summer to help needy causes.

He said: "As far as I am aware Saido never promised them anything.

"I think it was discussed but never promised and I think what WaterAid wanted was for Saido to be a brand ambassador.

"The foundation is not under investigation just because the commission is looking into a claim someone has made.

"The player doesn't get any of the money, it goes to the lawyers and whatever is done with the money is approved by lawyers.

"As far as I am aware the charity is still going and spent money on charitable projects in Burundi last summer.

"If the political situation improves in Burundi then money will be spent on charitable projects there this summer."

At the event, Berahino posed for photographs in front of boards with an SBF logo stating 'in support of WaterAid'.

A WaterAid spokesman said: "It was WaterAid's understanding that we would receive a donation from the event.

"WaterAid has not, to date, received any money from the SBF.

"WaterAid has not had contact with representatives from the SBF since March 2016."

Charles Pike of The Philanthropy Foundation, which runs the Saido Berahino Foundation, said the fundraising dinner did not receive 'significant funds' to make a donation to WaterAid or any other charitable organisations.