Bahamas to host CFU interviews

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):The Caribbean Football Union says it will cooperate with FIFA's investigation into bribery allegations, as it seeks to bring an end to the conflict that has sent shockwaves through the global fraternity.

Acting CFU president Captain Horace Burrell gave the assurance after a decision was made to conduct the interviews in the Bahamas instead of Miami.

Several CFU members were opposed to Miami as a venue for the interviews, claiming that it gave the investigation an inherent American bias.

"In light of the attempts to address the challenges facing the Caribbean Football Union as well as bring closure to the Ethics Committee proceedings, members of the Caribbean Football Union will fully cooperate with any investigation being conducted on behalf of the FIFA Ethics Committee," Burrell said.

"This event has dragged on for too long, many have suffered and many will continue to suffer. And so, the Union is unified in its position that in the interest of this game, we have agreed to attend the interviews at dates convenient to our respective members."

The interviews are part of a FIFA ethics committee investigation probing allegations that bribes were given to CFU members at a meeting in Trinidad and Tobago last month with FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.

bin Hammam, also the Asian football chief, and sitting CONCACAF and CFU president Jack Warner, were both implicated in the allegations and suspended by FIFA's ethics committee, pending the investigation.

The charges were triggered by a report from CONCACAF's general secretary, American Chuck Blazer.