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Warner warns of 'tsunami' of trouble to hit FIFA

ESPN staff
May 28, 2011
Jack Warner has gone on the offensive after recent allegations © Getty Images
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CONCACAF president Jack Warner believes a 'football tsunami' is about to hit FIFA as a result of recent corruption investigations within the game's world governing body.

Warner, a member of FIFA's executive committee that recently decided the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, was indicted this week after allegations of corruption involving him and presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam were made.

Current president Sepp Blatter was subsequently also incriminated, with judgment set to be made on Sunday in front of the ethics committee. Even with that date looming over him, however, a bullish Warner believes revelations still to come 'will shock you'.

"I tell you something, in the next couple days you will see a football tsunami that will hit FIFA and the world that will shock you," Warner said. "The time has come when I must stop playing dead so you'll see it, it's coming, trust me. You'll see it by now and Monday.

"I have been here for 29 consecutive years and if the worst happens, the worst happens."

Warner insisted he is not guilty of a "single iota of wrongdoing", and would be prepared to walk away from FIFA if needed.

"If that is what it comes to, so be it, you must never get too attached to anything," he said. "It clouds your judgment and therefore whatever happens, happens, que sera sera. I am not even remotely bothered.

"I had planned to leave Saturday morning in any case because I have meetings on Sunday afternoon. They can do what they want, it doesn't bother me".

US executive committee member Chuck Blazer reported suspected collusion between Warner and Bin Hammam to begin the proceedings, before Bin Hammam's allegations drew Blatter into the line of fire.

Warner believes Blazer's actions were based on the United States' failure to be awarded the 2022 World Cup, losing out to Qatar.

"There has been some resentment still and the feeling is that I should not be talking to [Bin Hammam] or his friends," he said. "I voted for the US like Mr Blazer and I, like Mr Blazer, was devastated over the fact that the US lost.

"But I will not allow that to impugn Mr Bin Hammam's character or to destroy our friendship. I am not that kind of person and if Mr Blazer and they want to do that, let them go ahead."

He added: "I have been in FIFA for 29 consecutive years, I was the first black man to have ever been in FIFA at this level.

"I have come from the smallest country ever to be on the FIFA executive committee. There is no country smaller than Trinidad and Tobago on FIFA's executive committee.

"I am wielding more power in FIFA now than sometimes even the president, I must be the envy of others.

"In terms of football history my country does not even have one and therefore there are people out there who would ask why should I be there and what is my role.

"So I become the butt of all kinds of attacks and I accept this without any kind of anger because I understand people, this is the nature of human beings."

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