New CONCACAF chief turns on Blazer
Reuters - Monday 30 May 2011, 22:41
MIAMI - The football controversy that led to
the banning of two leading FIFA officials has taken another
twist with CONCACAF's new interim president taking aim at his
general secretary Chuck Blazer.
Barbadian Lisle Austin, appointed interim president on
Monday in place of suspended Trinidadian Jack Warner, moved
quickly by issuing Blazer with a demand to explain himself and
to stop working with the U.S. lawyers who presented evidence
against Warner.
It was Blazer's report to FIFA's Ethics Committee, which
included allegations of bribery against Warner and Asian football chief Mohammed Bin Hammam of Qatar, that led to this week's
explosion of accusations and counter-accusations at world
football's governing body in Zurich.
In a letter to Blazer seen by Reuters, Austin gave the
American 48 hours to explain by what authority he appointed
Chicago-based lawyers Collins and Collins to conduct
investigations into the members of CONCACAF, the Confederation
of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.
The letter also asks Blazer to produce minutes or
documentation to show the decision was taken by the
confederation's executive committee and to stop Collins and
Collins from "conducting any business" including legal advice or
representation for CONCACAF.
Lawyer John Collins has had a long-standing relationship
with CONCACAF and with the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Blazer was not immediately available for comment but the
letter indicates the new post-Warner CONCACAF is unlikely to
make a harmonious start.
On Sunday FIFA's Ethics Committee suspended Warner and Bin
Hammam pending full investigations of the charges made by
Blazer.
A report by FIFA Executive Committee member Blazer said
there had been possible violations of the FIFA ethics code in a
meeting between Caribbean officials, Warner and Bin Hammam in
Port of Spain this month.
Bin Hammam, who has now withdrawn his bid to take on
incumbent Sepp Blatter in this week's FIFA presidential
election, and Warner denied any wrongdoing.
On Monday FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke produced an
email from the president of the Puerto Rico Football Association
who stated he had been offered a $40,000 inducement, which he
accepted, reported and was sending to football's governing body.