CONCACAF Chaos Continues with Warner & Austin Suspended

Legal reasons have prevented suspended FIFA vice-president Jack Warner from publicly revealing details of e-mail correspondence between himself and re-elected president of soccer’s world governing body, Sepp Blatter.

The Trinidad and Tobago Government Minister had promised that he would read out the e-mails to supporters but went on to disappoint a crowd of several thousand when reiterating his innocence of the charges against him but adding that he would not be the emails public after discussions with his lawyers.

Speaking at a an arranged gathering in his constituency in Chaguanas, Warner said: “I had plans to speak to you today a bit more on this matter but the best legal advice I received has suggested that I do not do so at this point in time and that advice I am going to respect.

“I haven’t thieved anything, I haven’t given anybody anything and I don’t know what the hullabaloo is all about.”

In referring to his fellow accused and suspended FIFA member and former presidential candidate, Mohamed Bin Hammam, he added: “My friend came here to talk to some people, he spoke to them and then he left. The rest is now history and let the facts come out.”

Warner went on to hit back at critics who have called for Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to fire him from his Government position as Minister of Works and Transport before the FIFA investigation is done, stating: “If it comes to a choice between FIFA and you [his constituents], the choice is you.”

In other news, acting CONCACAF president Lisle Austin, who stood in for Warner following his suspension, has been suspended for allegedly breaking the rules.

According to a statement on the Confederation’s website, Austin has been suspended following his attempts to sack its secretary general Chuck Blazer, the man who handed in the file condemning Warner, a strong ally of Austin.

The statement revealed that Honduran official Alfredo Hawit appointed in his place and added: ”Lisle Austin has been provisionally banned from all football activities within CONCACAF and at the national level by a majority of the CONCACAF Executive Committee members for apparent infringement of the CONCACAF Statutes.

”This suspension took effect on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Notice of this suspension is being sent to FIFA to be extended worldwide.

”As the senior most Vice President of CONCACAF, Alfredo Hawit, assumes the role of acting President under the CONCACAF Statutes.”