September 9 – FIFA has contacted Cayman Islander Canover Watson for more information regarding his arrest in connection with an alleged corruption and money laundering investigation.
FIFA audit and compliance committee chairman Domenico Scala told the Associated Press that Watson had been contacted. “We have asked Canover Watson whether he can share with the audit committee any additional information,” said Scala.
Watson serves as a member of FIFA’s financial monitoring panel in the CONCACAF region (on its audit and compliance committee). He is a vice president of the Cayman Islands FA and acts as the federation’s treasurer. He is also a vice president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
Watson was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in late August on suspicion of violations of the territory’s Anti-Corruption Law, specifically sections 13 [breach of trust], 17 [abuse of office] and 19 [conflict of interest], and on suspicion of money laundering. He was released on police bail and is due to report back on September 29.
Watson has not been charged with any crimes and denies that he has broken any laws. “The allegations are denied. In due course, at the proper time and in the appropriate forum, I look forward to setting out my position in greater detail. For present purposes since the police investigation is ongoing, I have been advised by my attorneys that it would be inappropriate for me to make further comment.”
The allegations do not refer to any of his work in football but revolve around the award of swipe-card billing technology contract in 2010 by the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority. Watson was the chairman of the Health Services Authority board of directors at the time.
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