By Paul Nicholson
September 16 – Canover Watson, a member of the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee, has been “temporarily relieved” of his duties on this committee by chairman Domenico Scala while an investigation takes place following news of his arrest by Cayman Islands police in August.
The statement by Scala on FIFA’s website states that FIFA has received a preliminary clarification of a Cayman Islands investigation into Watson’s business affairs and that there has been no connection with his roles in football. Scala says that “the presumption of innocence applies” but that: “This should not be regarded as routine procedure, because cases like this or of this nature must always be assessed on their individual merits.”
Watson serves as a member of FIFA’s financial monitoring panel in the CONCACAF region. He is a vice president of the Cayman Islands FA and acts as the federation’s treasurer. He is also a vice president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
Watson was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in late August on suspicion of violations of the territory’s Anti-Corruption Law, specifically sections 13 [breach of trust], 17 [abuse of office] and 19 [conflict of interest], and on suspicion of money laundering. He was released on police bail and is due to report back on September 29.
Watson denies he has broken any laws but is not saying anything further under advice from his lawyers
Cayman Islands politics have become increasingly bitter in recent years with reports emerging from Grand Cayman that Watson could be the victim of a politically motivated arrest and charges that creatively push the boundaries of what could be viewed as illegal.
The charges against Watson have caused widespread surprise across the Caribbean as Watson has a reputation of being a straight shooter and at the forefront of restructuring financial governance in a region that has had more than its fair share of financial scandal.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734800799labto1734800799ofdlr1734800799owedi1734800799sni@n1734800799osloh1734800799cin.l1734800799uap1734800799