Warner denies bribery involvement

Suspended FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner has denied the corruption allegations made against him and accused Sepp Blatter of bribery.

Warner, president of the CONCACAF Federation since 1990, was suspended by a FIFA ethics committee on Sunday along with Mohamed bin Hammam.

Warner and bin Hammam are under investigation for alleged bribes made to Caribbean Football Union delegates at a meeting in Trinidad on May 10 and 11.

Bin Hammam, head of the Asian Football Confederation, withdrew his candidacy for the top FIFA job prior to the hearing on Sunday, but denies any wrongdoing.

Warner denies allegations that he was involved in giving bribes of US$40,000 to CFU members in an attempt to secure their support in Wednesday’s leadership elections.

He also accused incumbent and long-term colleague Blatter of impropriety.

“I denied the allegations that I made statements at the CFU meeting about gifts being given by Mr Bin Hammam,” Warner said in a statement.

“I also indicated that at the Miami CONCACAF Congress on May 3 Mr Blatter made a gift of one million USD to CONCACAF to spend as it deems fit.”

“This annoyed (UEFA) President Michel Platini who was present and he approached Secretary General Jerome Valcke complaining that Mr Blatter had no permission from the Finance Committee to make this gift to which Jerome replied that he will find the money for Mr Blatter.”

“I also indicated at the CFU meeting held in Trinidad on May 10 which was requested by Mr Bin Hammam, FIFA through Mr Blatter organised gifts of laptops and projectors to all members of the Caribbean and no objections have been made today of this to date.”

Warner also extended his accusations to Valcke, claiming the Secretary General admitted to him in an email that bin Hammam effectively bought the 2022 World Cup for Qatar.

According to Warner, Valcke’s email states: “For MBH (Mohamed bin Hammam), I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB (Joseph Sepp Blatter). Or he thought you can buy FIFA as they bought the WC (World Cup).”

“The complaints made in this matter are politically motivated against Mr Bin Hammam and me and are designed, among other things, to cause serious prejudice and damage to both Mr Bin Hammam and myself at one of the most critical times for the FIFA.”