Embattled Independent Liberal Party (ILP) MP Jack Warner yesterday said the US authorities had not called him to ask him “one question” before they moved on Fifa officials in Zurich and New York yesterday. Warner, a former Fifa official and Concacaf president, made the comment early yesterday, before 7 am, soon after T&T woke up to the news that US authorities had indicated him on racketeering and other issues and was seeking to extradite him to deal with this. Later in the afternoon he appeared in court on the matter.
Warner said he had not been with Fifa for the last four years and while he was aware the Swiss authorities had been investigating, the US authorities had not called him to asked him “one question” and he had heard the news on TV “like everybody else.” He said if anyone wanted him “I’m right here in my office in T&T.”
Warner said he had visited the US a year ago since he has a house in Miami. “I went to visit my property,” he added when asked about his visit. Warner, however, maintained that Fifa was more powerful than any government and even the United Nations, since the UN had 190 members and Fifa had 215.
A couple hours later, Warner also said: “My attention has been drawn to certain developments in world football which started several hours ago and is at the present time still ongoing. “It has been reported that a number of Fifa officials have been arrested in Switzerland and that at least one raid conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigators in Miami is being executed at what I presume to be Concacaf offices.
“My name is being reported by international media as being one of those persons sought in connection with the probe. “The people of Trinidad and Tobago will know that I quit Fifa and international football more than four years ago and that over the past several years I have recommitted my life to the work of improving the lot of every citizen of every creed and race in this nation. This is where I have let my bucket down.”
Warner added: “I have fought fearlessly against all forms of injustice and corruption. I have been afforded no due process and I have not even been questioned in this matter. I reiterate that I am innocent of any charges. “I have walked away from the politics of world football to immerse myself in the improvement of lives in this country where I shall, God willing, die.” He said the actions of FIfa no longer concerned him.
“That is no longer my concern. My focus at this stage of my life is on the people of T&T. I wish to advise the hundreds of thousands of persons who support the ILP that my commitment to them and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago is undaunted and can never be broken,” he added.
OTHER REACTIONS
Opposition PNM PRO Faris Al-Rawi: “One of PNM leader Dr (Keith) Rowley’s first tasks (soon after his swearing in) was to call for the prime minister to remove Warner from the Cabinet concerning his Fifa role. He also moved a motion against Warner in the Parliament. “Mr Warner, in this current (indictment) situation, will have to speak to his defence of the matter and due process will have to be followed and he must be afforded due process and we await the outcome. Given the issue and process, it has far-reaching implications that remain to be seen.
“The PNM’s position? Dr Rowley has been very clear on matter. Let the chips fall where they may and let’s see what happens. It’s early days. “It gives me no pleasure to speak about this in the same way it would give me no pleasure to have to speak on matters regarding the Prime Minister, or any minister, or anyone who gives public service.”
PP House Leader Roodal Moonilal: “I have no comment but we’re monitoring it as a Government since a process is ongoing. No, I don’t believe we’ve ever had a situation (extradition) like this with a sitting MP. Mr Panday was a sitting MP when he had matters in the court but it didn’t concern extradition.
“It’s also ludicrous and mind boggling to insinuate or think it has anything to do with the election and even disrespectful to the US authorities to think so, since they are far removed and do their work by their own principles and procedures.”