• World Cup

Warner 'laughed like hell' at Triesman claims

ESPNsoccernet staff
May 11, 2011
Jack Warner has mocked Lord Triesman's claims © Getty Images
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FIFA vice-president Jack Warner says he "laughed like hell'' at Lord Triesman's claims that he asked for money to build an education centre at an estimated cost of £2.5 million.

Warner, president of the CONCACAF federation of countries in north and central America and the Caribbean, told Trinidad newspaper Newsday: "First of all, I laugh like hell because it took those guys from December to now [to say] that I have £2.5 million I believe. I never asked anybody for anything.

"When these guys came here, we promised to help. I showed them a place where they can put a playground. They promised to come back but they never did. That's all. What is painful is that the FA spent £19 million in a bid, 24 persons in the FIFA, one is from England, seven of whom from Europe.

"If the other 16 persons were bad, how come the only vote they got is the Englishman's vote? How come not even one person from Europe voted for them? And they're looking for all different reasons. Why don't they, in a dispassionate way, sit down and ask why not one European voted for them?''

Warner claimed nobody in FIFA would take Triesman's claims seriously, pointing out the peer was forced to step down as FA and bid chairman in May last year after repeating rumours that Spain and Russia would bribe referees.

"The important thing is that I think nobody of substance really takes those guys seriously,'' Warner said. "Triesman was unceremoniously removed. Where is his credibility?

"I hold my head tall because I can stand up and tell the world I never accepted anything. People who know me would be totally dismissive of that nonsense.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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