CONCACAF fires Austin, but is it legal?

CONCACAF has fired its acting president Lisle Austin but Austin has claimed that the federation does not have the authority to take such action, which he deemed illegal.

CONCACAF appointed vice president Alfredo Hawit of Honduras to succeed Austin.

It did not say why it fired Austin. However it came as soon as Austin dismissed American Chuck Blazer, who is the person who compiled the file on Jack Warner, which led to Warner's provision suspension from FIFA.

Warner is the football federation's President, but has been temporarily relieved of that position.

CONCACAF responded initially to Blazer's firing by saying Austin did not have the power to remove Blazer.

However in a detailed media statement Austin noted that CONCACAF's executive committee's action to remove him from office is illegal since it violated several articles of the organisation's statutes.

"Having assumed the role of President under Article 29, Mr. Austin, as President is the only person authorized and empowered to call and chair meetings of the Congress, Executive Committee, and Emergency Committee and of the Committees. It necessarily follows that if the President did not convene or did not chair any meeting of the Executive Committee that any actions taken or decisions reached at said meeting are not only unenforceable but are ultra vires," Austin said.

He added, "The current actions of the Executive Committee are not sanctioned by the Statutes of CONCACAF" noting that the move agaiunst Austin "is ultra vires and illegal" since it has denied him the opportunity of a hearing "or to defend himself against whatever baseless charges would have been trumped up."

Austin claimed that some members of the Executive Committee are engaging in illegal actions "at the prodding of forces which do not have the best interest of CONCACAF at heart."

Austin put the executive committee on notice that he intends to address their "continued illegal action" at all levels. He also said he rejects the press statement claiming Hawitt is acting President of CONCACAF.

He warned CONCACAF's members that anyone acting upon the instructions of Hawitt will be implicating themselves into illegal activities.

Yet again the Acting President Austin is saddened to note that the response from the CONCACAF Media Department is the fruit of illegal actions on the part of those who do not possess the constitutionally granted powers to utilize the Confederation’s equipment and resources.