Faces FIFA expulsion over Simpaul ticket scandal.
By: Lasana Liburd [/size]
WARNER GUILTY.
FIFA vice-president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special adviser Jack Warner could be fighting for his football career after being found guilty of breaching FIFA's Code of Ethics.
FIFA, the world organising body for football, ruled through its Committee for Ethics and Fair Play on Wednesday that Warner, one of seven FIFA vice-presidents, breached its code as a result of his exclusive sale of 2006 World Cup tickets, which was deemed to be a conflict of interests.
The initial monopoly of Trinidad and Tobago's 2006 World Cup tickets by Warner's family company, Simpaul Travel Services, and his influential role within the T&TFF was the subject of an exclusive three-part series by the Express on December 25, 26 and 27, 2005 and was subsequently picked up by the world press and FIFA.
The FIFA Media Department declared that Warner, a local football administrator for over three decades, had gone too far.
The Committee for Ethics and Fair Play concluded that because of his involvement with Simpaul Travel Service in Port of Spain,"FIFA vice-president Jack A. Warner has a conflict of interest with regard to ticketing for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and as a result, he has violated FIFA's Code of Ethics," A FIFA press release stated.
The FIFA Executive Committee will decide on a penalty on March 16-17 and, according to its own statutes, could expel Warner from FIFA.
Section three of the FIFA Code of Ethics governing "Eligibility for and removal from office" states:
"Only persons with the highest ethical principles who are willing to be bound by this Code without reservation may serve as an Official or a member of a body. Anyone who does not fulfill or ceases to fulfil these conditions shall be deemed ineligible to serve as an Official or a member of a body and, if already in office, shall be relieved of that position.
"The same applies to persons convicted of an offence that calls into question their ability to discharge their duties. Prior to being elected or appointed as an Official or a member of a body, all persons must automatically declare any interests they have that may interfere with their duties."
If FIFA invokes this clause, Warner could have the ignominy of being the first FIFA vice-president to be expelled. Already, the United National Congress (UNC) deputy political leader is the first FIFA official to be found guilty by the organisation's Code of Ethics.
Warner's cellular phone was switched off when the Express tried to contact him for comment yesterday.
T&TFF president Oliver Camps, who sold Simpaul Travel the rights to act as the local association's authorised ticket seller, maintained his silence on the matter.
"I have no comment to make at this time," said Camps yesterday.
Warner, who met with the FIFA Ethics and Fair Play Committee on his own initiative, was joined before the Committee by Turkey coach Fatih Terim. Turkey was penalised for its part in a mass brawl in its final World Cup qualifying match against Switzerland.
However, FIFA decided not to impose further sanction on Terim. Warner, who initially denied all accusations of a possible conflict of interest, did not get off so easily. Next month, Warner will learn the extent of his punishment.
A Statement from Jack Warner.
By: Shaun Fuentes.
“TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT” – A statement from Jack Warner
I returned to Trinidad and Tobago late last night after attending two FIFA meetings in Zurich. One with the Ethics and Fair Play Committee at 5:00 pm on Wednesday February 15 which I had personally summoned and another of the FIFA U17 World Cup at 9:00 am on Thursday 16 which meeting I chaired.
Since returning at 11:00 pm last night, I have been assailed by queries of various kinds by persons of all walks of life on a decision of the FIFA Ethics and Fair Play Committee.
In an effort to set the record straight, I do wish to advise the following:
1. On January 18, 2006, I wrote the FIFA General Secretary and asked him to refer the conduct of the sale and distribution of FIFA World Cup tickets “to the FIFA Ethics and Fair Play Committee and/or the FIFA Executive Committee in an effort at total transparency and moreover, to ascertain whether I have transgressed any ethical actions of any kind. Here I refer specifically to Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of the FIFA Code of Ethics prepared pursuant to Article 7 of the FIFA Statutes.”
I do wish to reiterate that the above-referenced initiative was taken by me.
2. On January 26, 2006 I asked the FIFA to send someone to do an audit of the sale and distribution of the FIFA World Cup tickets by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) and its agent Simpaul’s Travel Service. The FIFA responded in the affirmative. It is informative to note that the FIFA and the Organising Committee Germany 2006 fully agreed and accepted Simpaul’s role as authorized by the T&TFF.
I again do wish to reiterate that the above-referenced exercise was initiated by me.[
3. On Friday, 10 February, 2006 Enrique Byrom of FIFA Ticketing and Accommodation came to Trinidad to conduct the audit, which audit began the said night and was concluded in the wee hours of Sunday, February 12. The official left fully satisfied, thanked the T&TFF and us for the high level of transparency in the sale and distribution of tickets and for the cooperation given generally.
A copy of his report to the General Secretary of the FIFA, Dr. Urs Linsi is attached.
4. On Wednesday February 15th, the Ethics and Fair Play Committee met at FIFA House and on the basis of the Byrom report concluded that because of the involvement of Simpaul’s Travel Service in the sale and distribution of the FIFA World Cup tickets assigned to the T&TFF, “there has been a conflict of interest.” I asked the Committee to make the findings public and to refer the matter to the FIFA Executive Committee at its next meeting scheduled for March 16 / 17, 2006.
The above is just to set the record straight.
Respectfully submitted
Sgd Jack Austin Warner
Vice President
FIFA
Attached is the analysis of the World Cup 2006 ticketing distribution for Trinidad and Tobago as laid out by Enrique Byrom of FIFA Ticketing and Accommodation. This document was sent to FIFA General Secretary Dr. Urs Linsi.
Dear Urs
Following our telephone conversation please find below an analysis of the ticketing distribution for Trinidad and Tobago. The total number of tickets relates to the 3 games, sometimes the number per match is different.
Sponsors of the FA (total 6 (Companies) Tickets assigned 1039
Tour Operators Local market excluding Simpauls (total 7) 1055
Simpauls 1774
Government T and T including Assembly, Tourist Dev. Agency and London High Commission 432
BWIA Graduates 150
Supporters Clubs (Luton Town UK Soca Worriers USA) 100
Commercial affiliates (i.e.) KPMG and Living Water Community 184
Several corporations and groups (63) in excess of 4 tickets per match ranging from 18 tickets to 300 over 3 matches 2167
TTFF Coaches, players and team staff 762
TTFF Staff and officials 699
Individual ticket applications, per household max 4 per match 1553
Total 9915
Total assigned 10749
Tickets to allocate 834
TTFF has received a total of 35,000 tickets applications they have started a waiting list to assign remaining tickets and future allocations.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Best regards
Enrique.
