CONCACAF boss rejects claims

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Powerful FIFA vice-president, Austin 'Jack' Warner yesterday rejected allegations he sought bribes in exchange for supporting England's 2018 World Cup bid.

The Trinidadian was one of four FIFA executives - the others were Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi - identified by former English Football Association chairman, Lord Triesman, as asking for favours in return.

Speaking to reporters here, however, Warner described the claims as "totally false", and labelled Lord Triesman as "discredited".

"They are totally false. Absolutely foolish," Warner said emphatically. "Why (make the allegations) now and not December or January? Why now?"

Lord Triesman, who was also chairman of England's bid committee before resigning last May amid controversy, said Warner had asked for £2.5 million sterling to build a centre in Trinidad.

He said Warner also wanted another £500,000 for Haiti's World Cup TV rights.

All monies, according to Lord Triesman, were supposed to be channelled through Warner.

The allegations came as Lord Triesman testified before a British parliamentary inquiry into England's failed 2018 World Cup bid.

Warner hit back

But Warner hit back, accusing Triesman of using the scandal to rescue a slumping political career.

"Why is the chairman (Lord Triesman) talking, who has been discredited. I took him down to Londonville (south-central Trinidad) to see a place in Londonville to build a facility for the people of Londonville. That was public knowledge," said Warner, also a government minister.

"So he can say whatever he wants, but I don't have to answer any more of this foolishness. If he had a point to make he should have made it last December ... not after all these months.

"That guy's political career is dying and if he believes in this way I will help to revive it, I have news for him - I don't have time for that."

Triesman said he did not make the information public before because he did not want to endanger England's bid.

However, he now plans to formally complain to football world's governing body, FIFA, while bid committee chairman John Whittingdale said he would write to FIFA President Sepp Blatter asking for an investigation.

Warner found himself at the centre of British rage last year after FIFA awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia.

The CONCACAF president had been courted by England Prime Minister David Cameron; Prince William, the second in line to the British throne and football superstar David Beckham.

Warner, one of 22 FIFA executive committee members holding crucial World Cup votes, was accused by sections of the media of promising England the important CONCACAF votes, but failing to deliver.