(Jamaica Observer) PANAMA CITY, Panama — FIFA President Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter has applauded colleague Jeffrey Webb for his courage in ordering a probe into suspected irregularities involving two former top officials of the sub-continental body, CONCACAF.
Blatter, who attended the 38th CONCACAF Congress at the Westin Playa Bonita resort here, was reacting to a report presented to the membership by Integrity Committee chairman Sir David Simmons, which included allegations of impropriety against former President Austin ‘Jack’ Warner and former General Secretary Chuck Blazer.
Both men did not co-operate with the investigation of the CONCACAF-commissioned committee, which is said to have involved the acquisition of damning documents and the interview of at least 38 people.
The alleged mismanagement of the CONCACAF funds is said to have run into millions of US dollars, in what Sir David’s report claimed to be “unauthorised spending”.
Blatter said at a post-congress press conference that “the entire institution of football” will be shaken by the “facts” that have emerged.
“We heard the rumours, but we couldn’t act on rumours,” said Blatter, a Swiss lawyer. “You could feel the sadness in the room… I am more than surprised (at the gravity of it). It hurts, and I could see how it affected you and you must be congratulated (for dealing with it),” Blatter said, offering a hand of support for Webb.
Webb, meantime, conceded that he was surprised at the extent and depth of the revelations, having heard for the first time of the report of the three-man committee.
“I can’t say we expected the magnitude of this. We were shocked by the evidence and we are all greatly affected by it as so much has been wasted. But I must say the solidarity that has been expressed today (Friday) will continue, and we will continue with our new oversight and governance programme,” said Webb afterwards.
As details of the alleged wrongdoing of both Warner and Blazer were read to the congress, an eerie silence fell on the Seascape Ballroom as Sir David said that what was discovered was “most revealing and compelling”.
The Integrity Committee report claimed it found widespread irregularities, which included the development of the Centre of Excellence in Warner’s native Trinidad and Tobago, and the purchases of high-end apartments.
Following the eye-opening report, there was a volley of praise and congratulatory messages from the floor for Webb for his commitment in restoring the integrity of CONCACAF after it suffered a massive blow to its image arising out of the 2011 cash-for-vote scandal, that ultimately forced the resignation of Warner from all posts he held in football — including president of CONCACAF and the CFU and vice-president of FIFA.
Blazer later quit as general secretary of the confederation.
In addition to Sir David, who served as the 12th chief justice of Barbados from 2002 to 2010, the Integrity Committee is comprised of Justice Ricardo Urbina, a retired United States District Court Judge for the District of Columbia; and Ernesto Hempe, a retired partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
CONCACAF announced the formation of the Integrity Committee following a meeting of its Executive Committee on September 13 in Mexico City. The Integrity Committee was presented with CONCACAF’s Terms of Reference and was given oversight of all investigations pertaining to the previous administration in order to rectify and ensure clarity regarding all pending issues within the newly reformed confederation.
