January 31 – The shadow of Jack Warner and his dealings as president of CONCACAF has made a reappearance in Trinidad where a tribunal has been appointed to investigate his assets and registered interests as part of the integrity checks on the island for public officials.
Warner is a member of parliament for the Chaguanas West constituency, though up to this point no integrity check has been undertaken.
The prime minister was prompted to set up the tribunal following a demand from a member of Warner’s constituency who is considering joining a political party but didn’t know which one to join because the allegations over Warner had not been properly investigated, leaving him unsure of which party to choose.
Wayne Sturge, lawyer for the Chaguanas West constituent said: “We are calling on the President to appoint the tribunal to investigate these allegations made against Mr Warner inter alia that he committed fraud against Concacaf and FIFA; committed fraud and misappropriated funds from Football Federation Australia (FFA); breached his fiduciary duties to CONCACAF; violated the CONCACAF statues; and violated the FIFA Ethics Code.”
The move has more to do with local politics rather than football politics, though Warner does hold ownership of the CONCACAF training centre and has so far unwilling to give it up.
A three-member tribunal has now been appointed by President Anthony Carmona to investigate. Former justice Sebastian Ventour, Dr Selly-Ann Lalchan and Deonarine Jaggernauth will conduct the enquiry.
Warner has always denied the accusations as fabrication. Rumours are that he is still under investigation in the US whose authorities would like to question him regarding his assets. Warner’s colleague turned whistle-blower Chuck Blazer fell foul of the US authorities for not paying taxes, not for his commission structure derived from CONCACAF revenue. This enabled the FBI to use him and his information against former colleagues and friends.
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