Bermuda isolated in FIFA bribe inquiry
The Bermuda Football Association are among only a few Caribbean Football Union members agreeing to be interviewed by FIFA's bribery investigators about the cash for votes scandal.In stark contrast the majority of the 25 members of the CFU have refused to attend planned questioning at a special hearing in Miami.FIFA's investigating team, which includes ex-FBI head Louis Freeh's company, arrived in Miami yesterday to conduct interviews with the Caribbean nations who had been urged to attend.Three CFU officials, president Jack Warner and staff members Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester, have been provisionally suspended by FIFA's ethics committee pending a full inquiry into bribery allegations surrounding a meeting in the Caribbean with Asian soccer chief Mohamed Bin Hammam.It's understood, however, that close to 20 of the 25 CFU countries have opted not to show up for the interviews, also scheduled today, clearly indicating a growing divide at the heart of the confederation.In an email to The Royal Gazette yesterday the BFA confirmed that they would be meeting with investigators, but didn't say whether they are attending the Miami meeting.“The FIFA ethics committee has invited BFA officials Larry Mussenden, Gregory Grimes and David Sabir to meet with the investigation team. BFA officials have agreed to meet with the investigative team,” it read.The CFU nations had been summoned to appear by FIFA who said that, although they were under no obligation to attend, any failure to do so may draw a ‘negative inference'.In a letter sent to CFU governing bodies, FIFA wrote: “Although you are under no obligation to attend such a meeting, please be advised that the FIFA Ethics Committee may draw negative inference in the event that you (i) do not make the arrangements sought herein, or (ii) do not attend the meeting requested.“Furthermore, in this respect, we kindly remind you that as an official you have a duty if disclosure and reporting, including providing any evidence requested for inspection.”The letter also says that any association unable to attend the meeting has a ten-day window to arrange an alternative arrangement to be interviewed.While refusing to attend, the CFU nations have said they will hold ‘a meeting of their own soon to discuss the situation'.One unnamed member of the CFU has branded FIFA's inquiry as “tainted and biased and clearly having a US driven agenda.”Yesterday Chuck Blazer, general secretary of Concacaf, rejected those accusations. “It is nonsense. For 21 years their confederation has been administered from America without any claims of bias,” he said. “I find it uniquely peculiar for that charge to be made now other than as a tactic to interfere with the ethics investigation which is being managed solely by the members of the FIFA Ethics Committee.”Bermuda were one of seven whistle-blowers who refused cash bribes from top FIFA executives Bin Hammam and Concacaf president Warner for their votes in last week's presidential election.Those claims have since been rebuffed by 13 Caribbean countries who are supporting Warner's denial any such offer was made.The alleged cash bribes, $40,000 offered to each nation, were made at last month's CFU special summit in Trinidad, attended by BFA second vice-president Grimes and general secretary Sabir.Warner and Asian football chief Bin Hammam, who was running against Sepp Blatter for FIFA president at the time of the meeting, have been provisionally suspended by FIFA's ethics committee pending a full inquiry into bribery allegations.Both men insist they did nothing wrong.
Dear Sir,
On 29 May 2011, the FIFA Ethics Committee in connection with certain pending ethics proceedings, decide inter alia that further investigation, including the interview of any persons with potential knowledge of pertinent facts, should be conducted under the supervision and direction of a member of the Ethics Commitee, namely Mr. Robert Torres, with the assistant of the Secretariat to the Ethics Committee. Mr. Torres is authorized by the Ethics Committee to mandate auxiliary and external persons or entities of his choice including the interview of any possible persons (e.g. parties, witnesses).
In conjunction, and in line with the above, on behalf of Mr. Robert Torres, you are kindly requested to attend a meeting in Miami, Florida, during the period of 7 to 9 June 2011. Please contact me at your earliest convenience, in order to confirm your presence at such meeting and to arrange the travel logistics to Miami.
Please note that FIFA will reimburse your travel expenses to attend this meeting.
The purpose of this meeting will be to allow you to be interviewed by investigators working on behalf of the FIFA Ethics Committee in regard to the ethics proceedings initiated against Mr Mohamed Bin Hammam, Mr Jack Warner, Ms Debbie Minguell and Mr Jason Sylvester related to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) special meeting that was held on 10 and 11 May 2011 in Trinidad and Tobago.
If you cannot attend a meeting on the aforementioned dates, we ask that you propose an alternative arrangement for your interview to occur within the next ten (10) calendar days.
Although you are under no obligation to attend such a meeting, please be advised that the FIFA Ethics Committee may draw negative inference in the event that you (i) do not make the arrangements sought herein, or (ii) do not attend the meeting requested.
Furthermore, in this respect, we kindly remind you that as an offcial you have a duty if disclosure and reporting, including providing any evidence requested for inspection.
Should you have any further questions in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We thank you in advance for your valuable cooperation in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
FIFA
Marc Cavaliero
Secretary to the Ethics Committee.
Letter courtesy of sky.com/news
