Former FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner, who is at the centre of
corruption charges, is today facing a new wave of allegations after
being accused of diverting money raised to support the Haiti Earthquake
appeal, to bank accounts that he owned.
Reports has revealed that Warner is currently under investigation by
US prosecutors over the disappearance of the money believed to be around
$750,000.
According to the BBC report, US prosecutors are claiming the money
went to accounts controlled by Warner, at his 'direction' and for his
'personal use'.
The 72-year-old is currently facing extradition from Trinidad and
Tobago to stand trial in the US on allegations of corruption and
bribery. He has denied all charges saying “I have nothing to answer to anybody. Who wants to make allegations, make allegations.”
Meanwhile, Frank Lowy, president of Football Federation Australia
(FFA), has said he would welcome an investigation into a A$500,000 made
by Australia’s doomed 2022 World Cup bid team, that also also allegedly
ended up in one of Warner’s accounts.
In an interview with Sky News Australia, Lowy said: “I have made no offer to him. I have not negotiated with him.
“We were trying to influence the whole world. He was one of those people that we were hoping were going to vote for us.
“But I think there were a lot of other countries that thought so also
because he made promises to them. But he made no promise to me.”
He said the payment – intended to develop a centre of excellence in
Trinidad & Tobago – was paid out to create “goodwill” for Australia.
Lowy insisted the country had notghing to hide but he admitted “we
never stood a chance” of hosting the tournament, which was ultimately
awarded to Qatar. Asked why he thought Qartar won the bid, he replied:
“How would you think it was done?”
Australia has dropped a bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
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