Jack Warner Slams Fifa

Jack Warner has slammed Fifa after claiming he has been hung out dry, Warner had earlier resigned from his position as Fifa vice-president and president of Concacaf federation of countries from the Caribbean and north and central America.

Warner was the longest-serving member of Fifa's executive committee, had been suspended pending the outcome of a bribery inquiry.

He said: "It's not unusual for such things to happen and gifts have been around throughout the history of Fifa.
"What's happening now for me is hypocrisy."

Jack Warner is not a happy man at all, after being made a scapegoat for Fifa’s corruption allegations he went on to say: "I have lost my enthusiasm to continue. The general secretary that I had employed, who worked with me for 21 years, with the assistance of elements of Fifa has sought to undermine me in ways that are unimaginable.

"This is giving the impression that Fifa is sanitising itself. I've been hung out to dry continually and I'm not prepared to take that."

Warner also released a statement later on Monday evening and insisted he would have been exonerated by the ethics committee.

He said: "This decision is by my own volition and self-determination; albeit it comes during the sequel to the contentious Mohammed Bin Hammam meeting in Port of Spain in May with CFU Delegates.

"I am convinced, and I am advised by counsel, that since my actions did not extend beyond facilitating the meeting that gave Mr Bin Hammam an opportunity to pursue his aborted bid for the Fifa presidency, I would be fully exonerated by any objective arbiter.

He also went on to add; "I have, nonetheless, arrived at the decision to withdraw from Fifa affairs in order to spare Fifa, Concacaf and, in particular, CFU and its membership, from further acrimony and divisiveness arising from this and related issues.

"I am gratified that Fifa has acknowledged my service to international and regional football over several decades.

"It is also a special source of satisfaction to me that during my tenure, capacities and facilities in the Caribbean were upgraded to levels that enabled the region to host several Fifa World Cup finals.

"I sincerely hope that the Caribbean Football Union will continue to fight above its weight in Fifa and Concacaf affairs.

"With my withdrawal from service in international football, I shall, henceforth, be concentrating exclusively on my lifelong commitment to the service of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, currently as chairman of the major party in our governing coalition and as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of our Republic.

"I shall continue to encourage the youth of the Caribbean and the world to deepen their involvement in football, which has lifted so many young people out of hopelessness and risk to personal achievement, while bringing glory to their respective countries."

Jack Warner Quits International Football Roles

Jack Warner the longest-serving member of Fifa's executive committee has resigned from position in international football as Fifa’s vice-president and president of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

Fifa have confirmed this was purely Warner’s own decision to step down.

The news that Warner has stepped down has come off the back of news that the Fifa Ethics Committee had cleared him of any wrong doing in the Corruption case, Warner had been accused of arranging backhanders to try to secure Mohamed Bin Hammam's election as FIFA president.

"Jack A. Warner has informed Fifa about his resignation from his posts in international football," read a Fifa statement.

"Fifa regrets the turn of events that have led to Mr Warner's decision.

Warner and Bin Hammam were suspended last month after they were accused of giving or offering bribes of £25,000 each to the 25 members of the Caribbean Football Union.

"His resignation has been accepted by world football's governing body, and his contribution to international football and to Caribbean football in particular and the Concacaf confederation are appreciated and acknowledged.

"Mr Warner is leaving Fifa by his own volition after nearly 30 years of service, having chosen to focus on his important work on behalf of the people and government of Trinidad & Tobago as a Cabinet Minister and as the chairman of the United National Congress, the major party in his country's coalition government.

"The Fifa executive committee, the Fifa president and the Fifa management thank Mr Warner for his services to Caribbean, Concacaf and international football over his many years devoted to football at both regional and international level, and wish him well for the future.

"As a consequence of Mr Warner's self-determined resignation, all ethics committee procedures against him have been closed and the presumption of innocence is maintained."

FA Request Fifa Postpone Election

The Football Association have today requested that Fifa postpone Wednesday’s presidential election, FA Chairman David Bernstein also wants Fifa to appoint an independent body to supervise reforms after the revelations and accusations of the last month that have caused a crisis in the world governing body.

Bernstein said in a statement: "On May 19, 2011 the Football Association announced it would be abstaining in the forthcoming election for the Fifa presidency.

"There were two main reasons for this decision. First, a concern, that a series of allegations relating to Fifa Ex Committee Members made it difficult to support either candidate.

"Secondly, a concern about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organisation, contributing to the current unsatisfactory situation.

"Events of the last few days have reinforced our views, and we call on Fifa and ask other national associations to support us with two initiatives.

"First, to postpone the election and give credibility to this process, so any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand for president.

"Secondly, to appoint a genuinely independent external party to make recommendations regarding improved governance and compliance procedures and structures throughout the Fifa decision-making processes for consideration by the full membership.

"This has been a very damaging time for the reputation of FIFA and therefore the whole of football.
"To improve confidence in the way the game is governed at the very top, we believe these requests would be a positive step forward and the minimum that should take place."

Mohamed Bin Hammam Questions Chuck Blazer's Timing

Warner and Bin Hammam Accused of Bribery

Mohamed Bin Hammam has attacked Chuck Blazer timing of bringing the bribery matter to light, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, was suspended along with Fifa vice-president Jack Warner in the wake of bribery accusations.

Bin Hammam had withdrawn from the election process after Chuck Blazer launched an investigation into the bribery allegations.

"The allegations refer to the extraordinary meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago of 10 May 2011. According to his own statement, Mr Blazer was notified about the alleged offers on the same day.

"However only a few days before the presidential election, he submitted his written report.

"That timing reveals the real purpose of the allegations, namely to influence the upcoming presidential election by discrediting Mr Bin Hammam and Mr Warner, the first being a candidate and the second being an influential person who has not yet taken a position as to which candidate he would support.

"This is a blunt abuse of the institution of the Fifa Ethics Committee."

Jerome Valcke Clairfies Email Situation

Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke had today tried to attempt to clarify what he suggested when he admitted that 2022 World Cup was 'bought' referred to Qatar using their 'financial strength' to lobby for votes.

The email that was sent to Jack Warner about was made public by the suspended Fifa vice-president in a blistering attack by the Trinidadian on the world governing body on Sunday.

"For MBH, I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB [Blatter]. Or he thought you can buy Fifa as they bought the WC."

In a statement released on Monday, Valcke stated: "Mr Warner has published an email which I sent to him. I'd like to clarify that I may use in an email - a 'lighter' way of expression by nature - a much less formal tone than in any form of correspondence.

"Having said that, when I refer to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in that email, what I wanted to say is that the winning bid used their financial strength to lobby for support.

"They were a candidate with a very important budget and have used it to heavily promote their bid all around the world in a very efficient manner.

"I have at no time made, or was intending to make, any reference to any purchase of votes or similar unethical behaviour.

"I would also like to clarify that there is, as I said yesterday, no investigation open at Fifa regarding the 2022 Fifa World Cup host election."

Jack Warner Responds To Fifa

Jack Warner has hit out at Fifa and has mentioned allegations concerning Sepp Blatter, just like what everyone thought that Fifa was corrupt, the story of how the world football governing body is run seems to be unfolding day by day.

Warner claimed Blatter made gifts of computers to officials plus an unauthorised 1million US dollar gift to his confederation CONCACAF.

Jack Warner along with Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned by Fifa's ethics committee on Sunday pending the full inquiry into allegations they paid officials 40,000 dollars each in bribes which was brought to light by Chuck Blazier, both Warner and Bin Hammam have denied making any payments.

Warner said in a statement: "I denied the allegations that I made statements at the CFU [Caribbean Football Union] meeting about gifts being given by Mr Bin Hammam.

"I also indicated that at the Miami CONCACAF Congress on May 3 Mr Blatter made a gift of one million USD to CONCACAF to spend as it deems fit.

"This annoyed [UEFA] President Michel Platini who was present and he approached Secretary General Jerome Valcke complaining that Mr Blatter had no permission from the Finance Committee to make this gift to which Jerome replied that he will find the money for Mr Blatter.

"I also indicated at the CFU meeting held in Trinidad on May 10 which was requested by Mr Bin Hammam, FIFA through Mr Blatter organised gifts of laptops and projectors to all members of the Caribbean and no objections have been made today of this to date."

Mohamed Bin Hammam Reacts To Allegations

Fifa Senior Official Mohamed Bin Hammam has today reacted to news that he has been suspended along with Jack Warner until a full Fifa investigation has been conducted around bribery allegations both members are accused of.

Up until last week Mohamed Bin Hammam was running for presidential election in hope of succeeding current president Sepp Blatter, then Mohamed Bin Hammam stepped out of the race after these allegations were brought up by another senior official, USA’s Chuck Blazer.

He said in a statement late on Sunday: "I've been referred to the ethics committee based on evidence which was strong enough in views of the Fifa general secretary for such procedure.

"However the ethics committee in this meeting today did not find this evidence sufficient enough to convict me.

"Subsequently I should have been given the benefit of the doubt, but instead I've been banned from all football activities.

"I've been given the impression that the ethics committee is absolutely an independent committee. But in the press conference we have seen today the general secretary made clear that he is the one who has the influence in this committee.

"I'm very disappointed about the way the status of the proceeding has been presented at the media conference.

"I'm expecting this will continue. This is not how I understand fair play. I'm reserving all my rights."

Chuck Blazer Speaks Out On Fifa

FIFA Executive Committee Member Chuck Blazer has commented that he had no choice but to speak up after being presented with evidence of bribes, these involved Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner,.

ChucklBlazer spoke out and launched an investigation which resulted in two of football's most powerful figures being suspended pending a full inquiry on Sunday.



Blazer said: "I sat next to Mr Bin Hammam for 15 years in FIFA and have been general secretary of the [CONCACAF] confederation with Jack for 21 years so of course it was difficult. But what is more difficult is to ignore the fact that attempts were made to suborn members - it really wasn't a choice.


"I said to Jack, 'What are you doing? In 21 years we have never bought a vote, we have had elections and been in office all that time and never bought a vote'.

"I said, 'Now you have allowed this to happen here it completely changes the entire dynamic of the confederation'. Once you have done that you have let the genie of the bottle and for any issue that comes up, people will say, 'Okay, how much are you putting on the table?"'

Blazer now hopes that after this investigation Fifa will bring better practices and regulations into play.
He added: "I hope we have set a good example, we have expressed the fact that we don't tolerate the type of behaviour that was manifested by senior members.

"That's a message to all members that if you do something wrong it's going to be reported. That's how it will affect compliance. It is a chance for us to make a seminal difference to the way we operate.

"This is the implementation of a system that we put in just a few years ago.

"I'm just the official who fulfilled his obligation that when provided with the information about breaches of evidence by his members gathered together the facts and presented it to FIFA as required under the code of ethics."

Fifa Suspends Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner

Fifa have today suspended both executive committee members Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner after a meeting of its ethics committee on Sunday.

It has also been confirmed that Sepp Blatter will not face an enquiry, CFU officials Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester have also been suspended.

Football's governing body will now open a full investigation into allegations that financial incentives were offered to members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

Petrus Damaseb, deputy chairman of the ethics committee, said of Bin Hammam and Warner: "We are satisfied that there is a case to be answered."

However, Fifa insists that they are innocent until proven guilty.

Mohamed bin Hammam Withdraws From Fifa Election Campaign

Mohamed bin Hammam has pulled himself out of the running for the presidential election for Fifa, in order to clear his name amid speculation with alleged bribery within football’s world governing body. 

Both Bin Hammam and Jack Warner face allegations of bribery. While Blatter is accused of knowing about the bribery.

The president of the Asian Football Confederation, Bin Hammam, and his rival in the election, current Fifa president Sepp Blatter, are both under investigation.

He said: "I pray that my withdrawal will not be tied to the investigation held by the Fifa Ethics Committee as I will appear before the Ethics Committee to clear my name from the baseless allegations that have been made against me.

"I promise those who stood by me that I will walk with my head held high and will continue to fight for the good of the game.

"I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to all Member Associations and individuals who supported me. I hope that they will not receive my decision with disappointment and frustration.
"I have a special thank you to my friend and colleague Jack Warner for his unlimited support. I am sorry to see that he has to suffer because of me, but I am promising him that I will be with him all the way through thick and thin.
"I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to restore Fifa's reputation to what it should be - a protector of the game that has credibility through honesty, transparency and accountability."

Bin Hammam added: "I made the decision to run for the Fifa presidency because I was and remain committed to change within Fifa.

"I set out my goals and ambitions clearly - to further the cause of democracy within Fifa - through a commitment to transparency and accountability; through a commitment to expand the number of officials and nations involved in decision-making processes.

"In addition to this, I wanted to spark a debate about change in Fifa. For the good of football, I wanted the future to be bright for our world's governing body and for it to adapt to the ever-changing world we live in today.

"However, recent events have left me hurt and disappointed - on a professional and personal level."

Fifa Subject To Corruption Claims

Sepp Blatter will be investigated

David Cameron has backed calls for Fifa to suspend its presidential election next week after the two rival candidates were accused of breaching rules.

Current president Sepp Blatter and his challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam are due before the world governing body's ethics committee on Sunday to answer the charges.

Bin Hammam is accused of bribing Fifa officials in the Caribbean to win votes while Blatter is accused of failing to probe bribery allegations.

Fifa vice-president Jack Warner is also facing bribery claims. All three deny any wrongdoing and have issued statements protesting their innocence.

Michel Platini: Panorama won't effect England's bid

Uefa President Michel Platini has suggested that last night’s ill timed Panorama programme on FIFA corruption won’t have any bearing of England’s bid to host to 2018 World Cup finals when FIFA make their final decision on Thursday.

He said: "I don't think this [programme] will have an effect, no - but I think what may affect the decision is the atmosphere going back a long time and what people have been writing about FIFA in the British press for many years."

Panorama accused three FIFA executive committee members of taking bribes, and accused the FIFA vice-president Jack Warner of attempting to supply ticket touts during the 2010 World Cup. Panorama also accused African confederation president Issa Hayatou, whose voted England 2018 had high hopes of capturing, Brazil's Ricardo Terra Teixeira and Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay of taking bribes.

Warner has been accused that he "ordered [2010 World Cup] tickets costing 84,240 US dollars from the FIFA ticket office but the deal subsequently fell through".

The BBC has since defended a documentary which was aired last night, alleging three FIFA officials took bribes in the 1990s, but the English FA have criticised the BBC in a statement saying; "We stand by our previous position that the BBC's Panorama did nothing more than rake over a series of historical allegations none of which are relevant to the current bidding process. It should be seen as an embarrassment to the BBC.

"The 2018 team are entirely focused on winning the bid for England."