By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – Angenie Kanhai (pictured), general secretary of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) who is understood to have helped FIFA in its investigation of the cash-for-votes scandal, is resigning in the face of “emotional, psychological and physical” pressure.
Sixteen CFU officials have so far been sanctioned for their roles in the infamous Trinidad and Tobago meeting that led to FIFA vice-president Jack Warner resigning from all footballing activities and Mohamed Bin Hammam being banned for life for allegedly offering inducements to vote for him over Sepp Blatter in the FIFA presidential election.
Kanhai, from Trinidad, made her announcement in an official letter to members of the CFU and obtained by The Gleaner newspaper.
“I regret to have taken this decision at a time such as now, a period of upheaval and change, but I was forced to face, like all of you, the emotional, psychological and physical toll paid over the last months,” said Kanhai.
“As a result, I have made the decision to allow the opportunity and space for fresh eyes and minds, unsullied and unencumbered by the pressures of the past months to guide the CFU.
“This is a time to stimulate a new era of football in our region and my sincerest hope is that my resignation can indicate to you that acting in the best interest of the CFU is what we should all do, even if it requires some sacrifices.”
Kanhai was one of FIFA’s chief witnesses during the bribery investigations, which resulted in Bin Hammam withdrawing his candidacy for FIFA Presidency and Warner, who at the time was also the CFU and CONCACAF President, stepping down.
In her resignation letter, Kanhai made no mention of whether or not she had been threatened but she is known to have provided crucial evidence that helped bring down Warner, Bin Hammam and other Caribbean officials.
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