Warner claims Blatter gave CONCACAF $1 million "gift"

By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich

May 29 – A furious Jack Warner tonight blasted back at being suspended by FIFA with a litany of mind-blowing corruption allegations against other senior officials, notably President Sepp Blatter and his number two Jerome Valcke that will ensure the row ripping the world governing body apart will continue for a long time yet.

As the embarrassing split among FIFA’s hierarchy spiraled virtually out of control, the veteran CONCACAF boss and FIFA vice-president, who had promised a “football tsunami” if he was sanctioned, was true to his word.

In a statement, Warner said he “shocked and surprised” to learn of his suspension through the media rather than through officials channels .

But that was nothing compared to the can of worms he then opened by accusing Blatter himself of unethical behaviour at the CONCACAF Congress in Miami on May 3 where, said Warner, “Blatter made a gift of one million dollars (£969,000) to CONCACAF to spend as it deems fit”.

This, said Warner, particular displeased UEFA Pesident Michel Platini who was present at the time.

“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,” wrote Warner.

Warner and Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam, who pulled out of the Presidential race early today, have both been suspended for an alleged plot to bribe Caribbean members to vote for the 62-year-old Qatari against Blatter at a meeting in Trinidad on May 10-11.

But Warner seems determined to drag others down with him, not least FIFA’s President and general secretary.

He further alleges that at CONCACAF’s Congress, FIFA, through Blatter, “organised gifts of laptops and projectors to all members of the Caribbean and no objections have been made today of this to date”.

Dealing with his own case, Warner said he submitted to the Ethics Committee letters from 13 federations whose members attended the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) meeting in Trinidad which formed the basis of his suspension.

Turning on Valcke, Warner claimed the FIFA general secretary wanted Bin Hammam out of the race for President, a claim Valcke has always rejected but one Bin Hammam is certain was responsible for his own suspension.

Warner said he had the evidence to prove it.

“On May 18 when I realised that the political battle between Blatter and Bin Hammam was getting out of hand I wrote to secretary general Valcke telling him, among other things, that the outcome of the elections may cause some fracture in the Arab world which we can ill afford now and that I will like to ask Bin Hammam to withdraw from the race.

“To which Jerome replied to me and I quote:

“‘For MBH, 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. Or he thought you can buy FIFA as they bought the WC. I have a bet since day one, he will withdraw but on June 1st after his 10 min speech. By doing so he can say he push Blatter to make new commitments bla bla bla and get out under applause. Before means he is a looser (sic). So…He will get some votes. Less than 60 today after CAF support. It will be the ‘coup de grace’ if you would officially send a message as the CONCACAF President by saying CONCACAF supports unanimously. So I am not giving you an advice but just my feeling about what I think is the situation.'”

Despite the this plea from Valcke (pictured), Warner says he refused to give any advice about how CONCACAF will be voting.

Having dealt with Blatter and Vacke, Warner then pours scorn on the credibility of Chuck Blazer, his one-time ally at the head of CONCACAF and the man who brought Warner’s conduct to the attention of the ethics committee.

Finally he questions the Ethics Committee process itself.

“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,” Warner writes.

“The decision to suspend me is an abuse of the process and achieves no real purpose as stated in the decision and again demonstrates the bias of this enquiry.

“I intend to say a lot more on this matter shortly.

“In the meantime, I will vigorously defend my reputation as well as the reputation of the rest of the Caribbean members.”

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734855281labto1734855281ofdlr1734855281owedi1734855281sni@w1734855281ahsra1734855281w.wer1734855281dna1734855281