Angry Warner calls suspension 'an abuse of process'

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Regional football supremo Jack Warner reacted bitterly to his temporary suspension from activity connected with the game, vowing to offer a vigourous defence of himself and Caribbean officials.

Football's World governing body, FIFA, yesterday pledged to investigate bribery allegations against Warner, former presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam, and two Caribbean Football Union officials, temporarily suspending them from activity connected with the game.

Warner and Bin Hammam have been accused of offering US$40,000 (J$3-4 million) to national associations of the CFU at a meeting on May 10 and 11 here, in return for their votes in the FIFA presidential election.

Bin Hammam was to face incumbent FIFA president Sepp Blatter for the top post in the game in an election on June 1 in Zurich, Switzerland.

CFU officials Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester were also suspended until a full investigation into bribery allegations against them was conducted.

"The decision to suspend me is an abuse of the process and achieves no real purpose as stated in the decision and again demonstrates the bias of this enquiry," said Warner in a statement issued after the decision was handed down by the FIFA Ethics Committee.

"I intend to say a lot more on this matter shortly. In the meantime, I will vigorously defend my reputation as well as the reputation of the rest of the Caribbean members."

Warner expressed disappointment with the way the inquiry was carried out.

He said he was given less than 24 hours to submit a statement for consideration by the five-member committee.

Additionally, he said, a member from Uruguay did not have the value of a translated version of his or Bin Hammam's submission.

"This lack of translation services brings into question the issue of due process," he said. "In addition, FIFA did not have the courtesy to provide me with copies of the allegations before the hearing and only during the hearing were the allegations read to me."

Warner has continued to maintain his innocence in the face of the committee ruling that there is a case to be answered.

He alleged, in his statement, that the complaints made against him were politically motivated and "designed, among other things, to cause serious prejudice and damage to both Mr Bin Hammam and myself at one of the most critical times for the FIFA".

The sidelined FIFA vice-president said he was also shocked and surprised that he had to learn about his suspension through the media, especially having specifically requested, after leaving the Ethics Committee hearing, that he be notified of the body's decision.

If Warner, Bin Hammam, Minguell, and Sylvester are found guilty of bribery, they could be expelled from the organisation and banned from all football activity.

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