FIFA’s ethics committee found “comprehensive, convincing and overwhelming” evidence that Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner were involved in attempted bribery, according to the preliminary report that led to the suspension of the two officials.
Trinidadian Warner resigned as a FIFA vice president and president of CONCACAF on Monday, prompting the sport’s governing body to drop an investigation into bribery allegations against him and leaving “a presumption of innocence.”
The ethics committee’s report, compiled by Namibian judge Petrus Damuseb last month said there was a “compelling case” that Bin Hammam was engaged in an act of bribery and that Warner was an accessory.
The ethics committee acted on that evidence by suspending the pair. Qatari Bin Hammam had by then pulled out of FIFA’s presidential campaign, leaving Sepp Blatter to win a fourth term unopposed.
Bin Hammam said on Wednesday he had done nothing wrong, while Warner, who also denied any wrongdoing, hit out at the way the document had been leaked.
FIFA said it had no comment on the report.
The claims center on a meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in Trinidad last month.
“The comprehensive, convincing and overwhelming evidence permits to conclude prima facie that the accused [Warner] has initiated and arranged a special meeting of the CFU member associations for Mr Bin Hammam,” the report said.
“Furthermore on the occasion of this meeting it seems that Mr Bin Hammam offered, at least indirectly and under the pledge of secrecy, to each of the member associations an envelope containing US$40,000. The FIFA ethics committee is of the primary opinion that the accused [Warner] had knowledge of the respective payments and condoned them,” it said.
The report adds: “The committee is also of the opinion that the respective money gifts can probably only be explained if they are associated with the FIFA presidential elections of June 1, 2011. Therefore it appears rather compelling to consider the actions of Mr Bin Hammam constitute prima facie an act of bribery, or at least an attempt to commit bribery.”
“It appears prima facie impossible, in the opinion of the FIFA ethics committee, that the accused [Warner] could have considered the money distributed on the occasion of the special CFU meeting as legally or ethically proper and without any connection to the upcoming FIFA presidential election,” the report said. “Consequently the accused would at least be considered as an accessory to the aforementioned violations.”
Bin Hammam issued a statement via a spokesman reaffirming his denial of any wrongdoing.
“There is nothing I can say more than I deny the allegations and insist that I have not done anything wrong during the special congress at Trinidad,” he said.
Warner said in a statement: “I, Jack Warner, did not partake in the distribution of any cash gifts to my members. I hope for the good of the game, good sense will prevail or at least I will continue to live in hope.”
Warner was also angry about what he called the “anonymous leaks to the media in an investigation that is still ongoing.”
“I can only therefore conclude that this development is part of an ongoing malicious agenda to destroy the cohesion which has made the Caribbean Football Union a factor to be reckoned with in FIFA affairs; and thus diminish CFU’s significance in various areas of FIFA decision making,” he said.
Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary opposition later called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad--Bissessar to fire Warner from his position as transportation minister in her government.
“It is wholly unacceptable for an individual to be so disgraced in an international organization, falling short of matters of ethics and integrity and still be allowed to remain as a Cabinet minister,” Keith Rowley, an opposition leader, told reporters.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping