More CFU Nations Admit Receiving Bribes-for-Votes

It has been revealed that at least four more Caribbean countries have admitted they were offered thousands of dollars in cash as bribes in exchange for their backing of former presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam. 

The investigation is ongoing into the scandal that led to the temporary suspensions of FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam and it has been reported that more and more federations who attended the infamous meeting on May 10 and 11 – where the money was allegedly paid – have now come forward and handed it back.

The countries concerned are not being named but follow last week’s frank admission by the president of Surinam’s soccer association Louis Giskus that his FA received $40,000 (£24,000) “in $100 bills in a brown envelope” when Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members convened in Trinidad, organised by Warner.

“We all saw the story about Surinam giving the money back and my understanding is that there are at least four more,” a reliable source close to the investigation told insideworldfootball, adding, “It could be as many as six.”

Meanwhile, in a letter to CONCACAF acting president Alfredo Hawit, Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s general secretary, insisted it was time for warring parties within the Confederation to resolve their differences.

According to Reuters, Valcke stated: “We believe it is important that as acting president, but also the CONCACAF Executive Committee and all relevant CONCACAF bodies, now focus on bringing back unity to CONCACAF. It goes without saying that FIFA is at your and CONCACAF’s disposal should you need any assistance or advice.”

“After a thorough analysis of the file in our possession, the bureau of the FIFA Legal Committee emphasised that the relevant steps and decisions taken within CONCACAF appear to be in line with the statutory provisions of CONCACAF,” Valcke added. “However, the bureau of the FIFA Legal Committee emphasised that all legal remedies must remain open to those who do not agree with any decisions taken against them, in line with the relevant articles of the CONCACAF statutes.”