Warner disappoints Putin, takes leave from FIFA

Jack Warner told supporters in Felicity Monday night he welcomes anything that British journalist Andrew Jennings has to say about him.

Last Week PNM leader Patrick Manning told a political meeting he plans to broadcast live in Trinidad the proceedings of a conference in Miami on corruption on sport at which Jennings will be present.

He said Jennings will have things to say about Warner and he wants it live without giving Warner's "media friends" a chance to report it.

But Warner said Jennings has no credibility. And he welcomed Manning's attempts to broadcast the conference. "And if he can't get a sponsor, I will sponsor it," he said.

Warner read from the publication Inside World Football and noted that while he is someone with International stature, Manning has none. The article, which Warner read, is reproduced below:

Jack Warner, the highly-influential vice-president of FIFA, has turned down a trip to meet Vladimir Putin next month to discuss Russia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup and has temporarily stepped away from his international football commitments.

Warner has taken the decision because Trinidad and Tobago is due to hold national elections on May 24 and he is the chairman of the country's opposition United National Congress (UNC), one of the two main parties on the islands, who he also represents as a Member of Parliament.

Among the invitations has had to turn down were an invitation to Moscow to meet Putin and Lyudmila, who wanted to hold a special reception in his honour to help promote Russia's campaign to host the 2018 World Cup.

Warner, who is also the President of CONCACAF, has also postponed trips to Mexico and Cayman Islands.

He said: "These elections are very important for the future of this country.

"I have asked for a leave of absence away from FIFA business, to concentrate on the election.

"I consider it most important for me to stay in Trinidad and deal with the issues and ensure that we get Patrick Manning and his Government out."

Reproduced from: Inside World Football