Jack Warner Brushes Off Corruption Allegations Around Qatar 2022 Bid

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has brushed off the latest corruption claims against him and described them as ‘foolish.’

A Daily Telegraph report claimed the FBI are investigating payments made by Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam to Warner and his family – prompting suggestions the bidding process for the 2022 World Cup will be re-run.

Warner, who together with Bin Hammam was forced out of FIFA in the wake of a 2011 corruption scandal and is now working as a politician in his native Trinidad, has hit back.

He said: “I have no interest in joining in the foolishness that is now passing as news on Qatar and Jack Warner.

“Nor do I intend to join those who are on a witch hunt against the World Cup 2022 venue. And do consider this as my final comment on this matter.”

A UK politician also claimed that the bidding process should be re-run should the allegations be proved to be correct.

Damian Collins, who used Parliamentary privilege in 2011 to state allegations that two FIFA members had been paid to vote for Qatar 2022, told Press Association Sport: “If the FBI investigation can prove that corrupt payments were made to FIFA executives in connection to the decision to award that country the World Cup, they should lose the right to host the tournament and the competition to stage World Cup 2022 should be re-run.

“These reports will only fuel concerns that the decision to award Qatar the World Cup was made for money reasons, not sporting ones, and that’s wrong.

“The report on the FBI investigation suggests a web of lies and corruption at the highest levels of FIFA. This is something FIFA has never fully investigated and if these allegations are proven there has to be a top to bottom review of the roles and workings of members of FIFA’s executive committee.”

Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee added in a statement: “The 2022 bid committee strictly adhered to FIFA’s bidding regulations in compliance with their code of ethics.

“The supreme committee for delivery and legacy and the individuals involved in the 2022 bid committee are unaware of any allegations surrounding business dealings between private individuals.”

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