Warner defiant in face of Qatar World Cup scandal

Martyn Ziegler 12:11 19/03/2014
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  • Eye of the storm: Warner has once again found himself accused of wrongdoing.

    Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has dismissed the latest allegations against him as “foolishness” and insists there is a witch hunt against Qatar.

    English newspaper The Daily Telegraph has claimed the FBI is investigating payments from a company owned by Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam to Warner and his family. Both men left FIFA in disgrace following a 2011 corruption scandal.

    Qatar 2022 World Cup chiefs have reacted to the latest claims by insisting they adhered to all FIFA’s rules.

    Warner himself, currently a politician in Trinidad, said in a statement: “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.”

    Warner and Bin Hammam’s FIFA careers ended in disgrace after they were caught up in a corruption scandal surrounding Bin Hammam’s campaign for the presidency of the world governing body in 2011.

    Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee said 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.”

    But a UK Member of Parliament campaigning for reform of the world governing body said FIFA should re-run the bid for the 2022 World Cup if an FBI investigation proves corrupt payments were made in connection with the vote.

    Damian Collins, who used Parliamentary privilege in 2011 to state allegations that two FIFA members had been paid to vote for Qatar 2022, said: “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.”

    The Telegraph alleges that Warner was paid $1.2 million from a company controlled by Bin Hammam after the controversial decision to award Qatar the tournament.

    Payments totalling almost $750,000 were made to Mr Warner’s sons, according to documents seen by the newspaper. A further $400,000 was paid to one of his employees.

    Warner was one of the most experienced members of the executive committee until he stood down in 2011, and served as vice-president of FIFA for 14 years. He was one of the 22 people who decided to award Russia the 2018 World Cup and Qatar the 2022 tournament.

    Meanwhile, FIFA President Blatter on Tuesday opened a meeting to discuss the working conditions and labour rights of migrant workers in Qatar.

    The meeting was chaired by FIFA Executive Committee member Dr Theo Zwanziger, who was appointed to coordinate all necessary talks on the issue.

    Dr Zwanziger said: “I think we all agree that the situation of the migrant workers is a complex matter, and we cannot expect things to change overnight.

    “But we need to work together in an intensive approach in order to support the work currently being done by the competent authorities in Qatar.”

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