By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
April 25 – Jack Warner, the highly-influential vice-president of FIFA, has turned down a trip to meet Vladimir Putin next month to discuss Russia’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup and has temporarily stepped away from his international football commitments.
Warner has taken the decision because Trinidad and Tobago is due to hold national elections on May 24 and he is the chairman of the country’s opposition United National Congress (UNC), one of the two main parties on the islands, who he also represents as a Member of Parliament.
Among the invitations has had to turn down were an invitation to Moscow to meet Putin and Lyudmila, who wanted to hold a special reception in his honour to help promote Russia’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup.
Warner, who is also the President of CONCACAF, has also postponed trips to Mexico and Cayman Islands.
He said: ”These elections are very important for the future of this country.
“I have asked for a leave of absence away from FIFA business, to concentrate on the election.
“I consider it most important for me to stay in Trinidad and deal with the issues and ensure that we get [Prime Minister] Patrick Manning and his Government out.”