Concerned supporter says Warner's position is untenable.
Soca Warriors Online Editorial.
An avid supporter of Trinidad & Tobago football has issued a statement calling for an investigation into the conduct of the country's football federation (TTFF), and its special adviser, CFU president, FIFA vice-president Mr. Jack Warner.
The supporter who chose to remain anonymous feels that Warner's position within the global and local football hierarchy was untenable after it appears he and his co-defendants in a court case brought by 13 T&T national footballers concerning unpaid bonuses following the 2006 World Cup, acted in contempt of a court ruling.
In February 2011, high court justice Devindra Rampersad had ordered TTFF to make an interim payment of US$1.1 million no later than the 16th of May, 2011. However, yesterday, the defendant’s lawyers sent a cheque to the player’s lawyer for TT$2 million, less than a third of the sum ordered by the judge.
The interim payment was awarded because the judge found the TTFF's submitted accounts to be "unaccountable" and expressed concern over what he labeled as the inadequate and "cloudy" way in which the TTFF's accounting books were presented to the courts.
Furthermore, there was no accounting for $1 million Swiss Franc in which the judge could not "understand as to why it is not accounted for". Now the TTFF has been ordered to resubmit full and complete accounts by May 31st.
The supporter who is also a SocaWarriors.net/Warrior Nation member said, "Mr Warner holds many titles including FIFA Vice President, President of CONCACAF, President of the Caribbean Football Union, Minister of Works & Transport and, at times, acting Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago. Anybody who holds these titles should be transparent and law abiding.
Mr Warner, even if only by association with the TTFF, is in contempt of an order made in the T&T high court. This is not acceptable. The law applies to all citizens and Mr Warner cannot choose to ignore a court order without at least explaining his situation.
He has known about the date of compliance for over a month, but has chosen to disrespect the people of T&T by not even bothering to acknowledge his non compliance."
The spokesman went on to say that this is not the first time Warner has put himself beyond the rules. "We saw before that Mr Warner got fined US$1 million by FIFA for his involvement in a World Cup ticketing scandal in 2006.
To my knowledge, he only paid US$250,000 of that fine. Any other FIFA member found guilty of financial wrongdoing would have been removed from FIFA, yet Warner is still a vice president there.
This despite being removed from TTFA (now TTFF) following the infamous overselling of match tickets for the T&T vs USA World Cup qualifier in 1989. We can no longer just stand and watch as Warner continues to ignore laws, ignore fines and ignore the best interests of football in order to reach his personal goals."
The supporter explained that over the 5 year history of this court case, its members, though being skeptical of Warner's intentions, had never publicly issued a call for his removal.
"But over the last 5 years we have seen Warner become more powerful and involved in more controversies while our national and local football has been allowed to deteriorate through negligence, poor administration and mismanagement of funds. We feel like the child in the story, "The Emperor's New Clothes".
The supporter continued, “We can see the need for a full public enquiry, but it appears that many T&T citizens, M.P.s and even the Prime Minister are dazzled by Jack's ability to distract attention away from his affairs.
Enough is enough. We are calling on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts to suspend Mr Warner pending a full investigation of his involvement in this court case and the non compliance with the court order. People may say that Warner cannot be blamed as he is an employee of TTFF, but it’s not that simple.
Warner made the original deal with the players and then submitted an inaccurate set of accounts with key items of income missing. Mr Warner has on many occasions spoken publicly about representing the TTFF.
TTFF President, Oliver Camps has also stated publicly that Warner personally funds national teams. He is inextricably connected to the TTFF and it is commonly believed that he is in charge, despite his title of Special Adviser.
All we are requesting is adherence to the People's Partnership election promise of transparency and integrity.”
The players locked in this court battle include; Shaka Hislop, Kelvin Jack, Atiba Charles, Cyd Gray, Ian Cox, Brent Sancho, Aurtis Whitley, Collin Samuel, Evans Wise, Anthony Wolfe, Cornell Glen, Kenwyne Jones and Stern John.
Disclaimer
The views expressed by this supporter does not necessarily reflect the views of the SocaWarriors.net/Warrior Nation.
