Port-of-Spain: FIFA Vice-
President, this country's Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner is under investigation by the world governing football body FIFA once again. The investigation by FIFA's Ethics Committee follows allegations of bribery made against Warner and FIFA presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hammam.
Both men have denied the charges. They will appear before the Ethics Committee to answer to the charges on Sunday in Zurich.
The bribery charges come from within the bowels of world football's governing body and the irony is that the allegations come from a man described as an ally of Jack Warner, Chuck Blazer.
He has passed a report to FIFA alleging that Warner and Bin Hammam attempted to bribe members of the Caribbean Football Union to secure votes for Bin Hammam in the presidential election due to be held on June 1st.
Blazer has been on the inside track in FIFA for many years and is very close to Jack Warner. Blazer's allegations are supported by affidavits from witnesses prepared by lawyers. The extraordinary allegations throw the presidential race into chaoas as Bin Hammam is the sole opponent to Sepp Blatter who has held the FIFA presidency for 13 years.
The allegations stem from Bin Hammam's visit to Trinidad and Tobago on May 10th.
In his defence Jack Warner says, "It is informative to note that the Concacaf at its congress in Miami on May 3rd was informed that Bin Hammam being unable to get a US visa to attend and that as an alternative, he will like to meet the delegates in Trinidad on May 10th.
"I am not aware of any wrong doing on my part and i shall listen to allegations made and respond accordingly," Warner said.
Warner describes as interesting the timing of the allegations and the hearing which is scheduled mere days before theFIFA vote. If Bin Hammam is suspended he cannot contest the presidency and if Warner is suspended he cannot vote.
Concacaf holds 35 votes which can sway the way the presidency goes. If Bin Hammam is put out of the picture then Blatter will be re-elected.
Bin Hammam says he is confident there is no charge to answer and he also remains confident he will be free to stand in the FIFA presidential election on June 1st.
In a statement on his personal website Bin Hammam described the development as a tactic being used by those who have no confidence in their own ability to emerge successfully from the FIFA election. He says he remains deeply indebted to Warner for his sense of fair play because "without his support and understanding I would not have been able to meet with several important member associations of FIFA to discuss my election manifesto".
He has offered Warner his full support in ensuring that they are both discharged honorably by the FIFA Ethics Committee.
Both Warner and Bin Hammam say they will make no further comment until after they appear before the Committee in Zurich on Sunday .
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