Former Prime Minister to appeal against FIFA ban

By Andrew Warshaw

November 21 – Former Dominica Prime Minister Patrick John is appealing FIFA’s decision to ban him for two years for his role in the cash-for-votes scandal last May.

John is one of the most high-profile of the 11 Caribbean officials sanctioned over the bribery plot involving bundles of $40,000 (£26,000/€30,000) in cash allegedly offered or paid on behalf of former FIFA Presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hammam.

Few of those punished have gone to appeal but John, former president of the Dominica Football Association who received one of the harshest sentences, says the matter is in the hands of his lawyers.

Although John’s actual offence has not been disclosed, reports in his homeland pointed out that he was originally charged not with violating FIFA’s Code of Ethics but for infringing its statutes.

John claims FIFA took into account “irrelevant considerations” including a previous conviction in 1981 for unsuccessfully attempting to overthrow the Government of Prime Minister Eugenia Charles against him, more than 30 years ago.

“Over 30 years ago, I was convicted, though I was subsequently pardoned by the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica and served only four years of a 12-year sentence,” he said in a radio interview.

John also believes FIFA unfairly considered emails he had sent in support of the suspended acting President of CONCACAF Lisle Austin.

“I have decided to appeal the matter, and to that effect, my attorney has started the process,” he stated.

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