If FIFA isn’t in a crisis, which president Sepp Blatter says it is not, then CONCACAF certainly is.The governing body for football in this region, of which Bermuda Football Association is a long-time member, has been hit by one scandal after another in the last couple of weeks.And through this turmoil, the BFA haven’t stated clearly their position.It would appear they are sitting on the fence, neither condoning nor supporting those involved in what has been described as a ‘cash for votes’ scheme.It’s been alleged that at the recent Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) special summit, attended by BFA’s general secretary David Sabir and second vice-president Gregory Grimes, that every one of the 25 member nations were offered $40,000 if they voted for Mohamed Bin Hammam who was to challenge Sepp Blatter at this week’s FIFA elections.A British newspaper has claimed that several countries accepted that cash but Bermuda were among just a handful who refused.Bahamas FA president Anton Sealey reported to FIFA that his association had been asked to take the cash, and Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos supported his claim.BFA president Larry Mussenden has said he stands by a statement in which Bahamas pointed the finger at CONCACAF chief Jack Warner, who has since been suspended by FIFA.However, the question has to be asked, if Bahamas hadn’t contacted FIFA would the BFA have asked for an investigation, knowing what they do. As it stands, Bermuda has still come out of this controversy with its good reputation still very much intact.It’s no secret that the BFA has long been a close ally of Warner, and the two have enjoyed a warm relationship.But in light of recent developments, and on the basis of what the BFA know regarding the scandal, that might have to change.All that the BFA and Mussenden are saying is that they were offered the bribes and refused, but couldn’t confirm whether other CFU members had taken the money.In fact, Mussenden said: “Bermuda isn’t against what any other Caribbean nation is saying. We only speak for what we know which is only the extent of our experience.”But that experience itself should be enough to support Warner’s suspension as well as that of Bin Hammam.Also the BFA can’t offer their support to acting CONCACAF president Lisle Austin who stepped into the void left by Warner’s absence and immediately fired general secretary of the federation, Chuck Blazer, the man who initially exposed the alleged scandal.Austin said Blazer was guilty of ‘gross misconduct’. In effect, he said no such corruption existed and he fully supported Warner, despite FIFA’s investigation.Thankfully, CONCACAF’s executive immediately told Austin he had no authority to make such a decision and Blazer was quickly reinstated.All of this has transpired in the space of a few days. CONCACAF is in chaos.Should Warner be found guilty by the FIFA Ethics Committee and stripped of his position, Austin can’t possibly replace him as he has condemned the whistlerblowers, Bermuda included, claiming no such scandal existed.If Warner is thrown out then by association the Caribbean nations who claimed they had not been offered bribes, are also guilty.What actions FIFA would then take against those affiliates and Austin?So where does all that leave the BFA. Mussenden was also quoted as saying: “We will do our best to assist all parties to resolve those issues, whatever they may be.”Those issues are quite clear: Did Warner and Bin Hammam conspire to make sure that CFU members voted against Blatter at the FIFA election? And did the countries approached take the $40,000 offered?It’s also been alleged that some were offered gifts, such as computer laptops, to vote according to instructions.If that’s true, then the executives of every one of those Caribbean football associations will, like Warner, have to be booted out.Attempts, no doubt, will be made to sweep this entire controversy under the carpet in order to maintain CONCACAF’s integrity.But it’s up to Bermuda, Bahamas, Caymans and Turks and Caicos to make sure that doesn’t happen.Let’s not forget that Warner has been the subject of a FIFA investigation in the past. Before the last World Cup in South Africa, it was alleged he had been involved in a ticket scam.Warner was cleared as FIFA eventually accepted there wasn’t enough evidence to support the allegations. Others felt differently.He’s continued to rule the federation with an iron fist, rarely challenged for any of his decisions.There’s no disputing that under Blatter, himself a controversial figure, world football has been taken to another level and CONCACAF have been a part of the game’s growth, and enjoyed the financial gains which came with it.Now Blatter, re-elected unopposed as FIFA president on Wednesday, has to ensure that federations such as CONCACAF are thoroughly investigated and if any wrongdoing is proved those involved are suitably punished.Presumed innocent until found guilty, might be Warner’s current stance.Regardless, CONCACAF is in a mess and the BFA will have to play their part in the clean-up.ADRIAN ROBSON