SPORT: Jack asks CONCACAF to hear from both sides in FIFA presidential race

CONCACAF President Jack Warner has delayed an announcement as to who his Confederation will be supporting at the upcoming FIFA presidential election.

Warner said in a media release it is in the interest of fair play, which is one the founding principles of the world’s most popular sport

Warner will give him membership an opportunity on Tuesday 10th May 2011to listen to presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hammam. the event takes place at 10 in the morning at the Hyatt in Port of Spain. 

Hammam did not attend the recent CONCACAF Congress in Miami as he was unable to secure a US visa.

Warner decided invite him to make his presentation in Trinidad to allow his membership to “hear both sides” before making a choice between Hammam and incumbent FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

“No one in CONCACAF has expressed displeasure over Mr Blatter’s tenure but in the interest of fair play and democracy I cannot deny my membership the opportunity to hear all sides of this campaign," Warner said.

"An election is not a popularity contest and as the world still grapples with shifting economic realities we must ensure that our sport is in a position to withstand any uncertainty,” he added.

Warner stated ,” One must examine all that is proposed; how do you expand football? How do you continue to touch the lives of those who have been denied the opportunity to witness the beauty and simplicity of this game? “

He explained that football is a sport of hope and that FIFA must ensure that hope continues to be offered in territories where hopelessness is all that is known.

CONCACAF controls 35 votes in the FIFA election, which is scheduled to take place on June 1st in Zurich. 

The CONCACAF President has emphatically stated that his federation will vote as a bloc and a decision as to which of the candidates will be getting their nod will be made when CONCACAF meets next on May 30th in Zurich.