Why are the Americans and British so concerned about FIFA's ethics? - the Peter O'Connor column

I would have preferred to comment upon Winston Dookeran’s decision to step away from the COP Leadership, or to discuss the misinformation that had been published regarding the NP haulage contract.

However, this week, clearly Jack trumps all, and even if everyone else is commenting on the FIFA scandals, I am also going to be there.

I think most readers know that I am a friend and former colleague of Jack Warner, and some may therefore assume that if I am not critical of him, it is solely because of that friendship. So be it, I accept that.

Many will also know that FIFA has been under scrutiny for several years now, with media, particularly the British media, being highly critical of the organization. 

But what we should all know regarding the revelations and counter-revelations over the past couple of weeks is that this has nothing to do with an embrace of morality or ethics on FIFA’s part. 

What we have been witnessing is a falling out over the FIFA choices of Russia and Qatar as hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively. Or, more exactly, the bitterness stemming from the fact the Finals were not awarded to England and the United States. This is all more about revenge than morality and ethics.

Chuck Blazer’s allegations of bribes paid by Bin Hammam to Caribbean Football Associations at a meeting in Trinidad have more to do with the angst of the USSF at their not being awarded the 2022 World Cup. 

Although Jack has stated that he had voted for the United States, the Americans are claiming that he did not work hard enough to ensure that others voted for them. It is not my intention, nor do I have the space here to rehash all of the charges and counter-charges that have been flying around Zurich this past week, but more to look at the fallout expected from these matters.

Chuck Blazer and the USSF encouraged Jack to run for President of the CONCACAF in 1990. They did so in recognition of Jack’s abilities and proven performance, and because they wanted to remove the hegemony of Central America over the moribund CONCACAF region. 

At the time Jack (and I!) was under investigation here at home over the November 1989 match against the United States. The Latin’s made much of this, but the Americans, not unnaturally, were prepared to ignore these charges. Jack won the election, and appointed Chuck as CONCACAF General Secretary. They developed CONCACAF into an effective and meaningful Confederation.

Jack in particular worked for development of Caribbean Football, and indeed, as “Special Advisor” for T&T football. But both the United States, and the Central Americans whom Blazer and Company had previously spurned, became increasingly wary of the strength and unity of the Caribbean—the CFU.

So when a Qatari challenged Blatter for the Presidency, it was obvious that the USSF, who had lost to Qatar in the venue race, would look for opportunities to upset both Bin Hamman and Jack Warner. I am not judging the allegations here, but merely suggesting that had the USA been awarded the 2022 Finals (and England the 2018), there would have been no issues in Zurich last week.

With Jack now formally charged by FIFA, and temporarily suspended, there have been calls—both reasoned and hysterical - for him to step down as Minister of Works and Transport. 

The PNM is raising the 2010 matter when they claimed he could not serve both T&T and FIFA. But that is a dead issue. Jack has certainly served T&T, as a Minister, better than any PNM could ever have done, and his performance is constantly acclaimed. 

The Prime Minister has stated she will retain Jack, largely on the grounds that FIFA is a separate entity from T&T, and that he is “innocent until proven guilty”. She may, of course, be postponing a decision. 

However, the reality is that the government and the population “needs” Jack at work more than we need an appearance of ethical standards, which are not part of our culture anyway, at this time.

What should be of greater concern to us is the future of T&T football, and indeed of football in the Caribbean. 

Clearly, CONCACAF is splitting apart, and the losers in this will be the Caribbean islands. Should Jack not prevail before the FIFA inquiry, look for Chuck Blazer to be elected President of CONCACAF, for FIFA (who already stated, then hedged the statement, that Qatar “bought the 2022 Final”) to review Qatar’s selection, and the award be given to the United States.

And all of this has nothing to do with the performance of the Minister of Works in T&T, but space constraints prevent me from developing this further at this time.