KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tony James, former president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has weighed in on the corruption storm which has rocked the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) – the organisation responsible for the regulation and promotion of football worldwide.

Some nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives were on Wednesday indicted for racketeering conspiracy and corruption, which preceded a raid on CONCACAF’s headquarters as Switzerland launched separate investigations.

The defendants charged include Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner – the current and former presidents of CONCACAF, respectively.

CONCACAF is the continental confederation under FIFA, which is headquartered in the United States.

James told OBSERVER ONLINE by telephone Wednesday that in spite of corruption allegations levelled against Warner, “he is a naturally caring person, he’s not a vindictive person… he [was] a very strong, experienced, hands-on kind of president when he took over”.

The former JFF president insisted that Warner, along with Chuck Blazer, had rebuilt CONCACAF. 

However, he said that Webb – the man who was brought in to restore the credibility of CONCACAF and to stamp out corruption following Warner’s departure after he quit international football in 2011 – “is the exact opposite”.

“He’s a person who delegates responsibility,” James said.

“He believes in a mass amount of consultation and he has put in place a very extensive administrative structure, a very broad and thorough one involving the top countries in CONCACAF, creating unity,” James explained.

He maintained though that despite what both brought to the table, if they were found to be guilty, they would have to face the music.

“If they have done any wrongs they would have to be men and stand up to them,” James said.

Meanwhile, as Swiss prosecutors launch a criminal case into the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups which are to be held in Russia and Qatar, respectively, James said he does not foresee the current scandal affecting the upcoming World Cups.

“I don’t think it will affect the World Cup that much, because FIFA is the strongest sporting organisation in the world and has in reserve some US$1.5 billion, which is the envy of all sporting associations. 

“They are strong. The world Cup structures are good. They are solid, they make money off these World Cups and have contractual obligations, I don’t really think it will affect the World Cup,” James reasoned. 

He said, however, that the investigations have dealt a blow to the credibility of FIFA, which the next elected president will have to restore.

Elections are set for Friday.