Posted on February 16, 2012
The Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation on Thursday said that former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice president Jack Warner controlled the Haitian relief earthquake funds that were given to the organization by FIFA and the Korean Football Federation.
The federation said it did receive funds for relief for the victims of Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake, but could not confirm how much money was received. The money did not go into the account used by the federation for its day-to-day operations, bur rather to its local organizaing committee “as was requested by Warner,” who was special advisor to the TTFF at the time, according to the federation’s website.
FIFA had given $250,000 and the Korean federation $500,000, according to The Daily Mail.
The TTFF said it was not aware of how these funds were used and was awaiting audits from Warner’s accounts.
“The TTFF realizes the final responsibility for any account in its name lies with us, but confesses that it surrendered it’s authority to Mr. Warner, who has been for more than three decades a larger than life figure in national and international football and was a trusted agent and member of our organization,” a statement on the website said. “We never questioned his authority or actions and are now in a position of despair as we are starved of funds by FIFA until full disclosure, which we are unable to provide without Mr. Warner’s input. Sadly Mr. Warner seems disinclined to comply with our repeated requests.”
Warner refused to comment on the matter, according to the Trinidad Express.
But on Trinidad television Warner suggested there was a conspiracy against him.
“I have nothing to answer to anybody,” he said. “Who wants to make allegations, make allegations. Ask yourselves, as objective members of the media, ‘why now…?’And after you get why now, just join the dots and see.”
According to the Daily Mail, FIFA is withholding Warner’s pension, reportedly in the neighborhood of $50,000.
Warner, the country’s works and infrastructure minister, finds himself battling problems and allegations on two fronts these days.
He has been a central figure in the row over where the money went for the 2006 World Cup player bonuses.
A Trinidad High Court judge is expected to decide on Friday what action to take against Warner over that situation in which 13 former Soca Warriors have suited over the non-payment of bonuses.
Warner also said he was done talking about the lawsuit.
“I have nothing to say about that, believe me, I done talk about that,” he was quoted by the Trinidad Guardian. “I have nothing to say on that matter period and believe you me that is final. So don’t ask me anything. I have nothing to say.”
Meanwhile, the Trinidad federation is struggling to keep afloat.
“The TTFF will continue trying to resolve these serious issues and asks for even greater tolerance from the football loving public,” a statement on its website said. “We also will continue to run our domestic and national programs, including our National Under-23 Olympic team and Women’s Under-17 team, with the support of our dedicated team of coaches, team managers, technical director, marketing and events unit and our sponsors, inclusive of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, most of whom have pledged continuing support for the sport.”
Photo: Former CONCACAF president Jack Warner and FIFA vice president Jack Warner is battling allegations and problems on two fronts these days. Andy Mead/YCJ
Categories: Caribbean, CONCACAF, Trinidad and Tobago
Tags: 2006 World Cup, CONCACAF, Daily Mail, FIFA, Jack Warner, Trindiad & Tobago Football Federation, Trindidad Express, Trinidad Guardian
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