CONCACAF releases statement on FIFA arrests

CONCACAF, the governing body of North American soccer, releases a statement on the arrests of FIFA executives.

FIFA executives were arrested in a hotel in Zurich on Wednesday, and an indictment names 14 people on charges including racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

As it connects to the United States, former CONCACAF leader Jack Warner is among the targets. CONCACAF is one of six federations that comprise FIFA and overseas North American, Central American and Caribbean soccer, including the United States national team.

Warner resigned in 2011 amid allegations, via the New York Times:

"A key power broker in FIFA’s governing executive committee, Mr. Warner had been dogged by accusations of corruption. He was accused of illegally profiting from the resale of tickets to the 2006 World Cup and of withholding the bonuses of the Trinidad players who participated in that tournament.Mr. Warner resigned his positions in FIFA, Concacaf and his national association in 2011 amid mounting evidence that he had been part of an attempt to buy the votes of Caribbean federation officials in the 2011 FIFA presidential election. A 2013 Concacaf report also found that he had received tens of millions of dollars in misappropriated funds."

When Warner resigned, all internal FIFA investigations against him were closed.

Jeffrey Webb, Warner’s replacement, is also one of the men charged in the investigation.

Trying to do a bit of damage control, CONCACAF released a statement:

“The Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) is deeply concerned by today’s developments, in the arrest of several international football officials including those belonging to our Confederation.

“The Confederation will continue to cooperate with the authorities to its fullest capacity.

At present, CONCACF is not in a position to comment further on the specific allegations, which have been referred to the appropriate legal counsel through the pertinent channels.

“CONCACAF continues ot operate in the ordinary course of business, hosting all of its upcoming tournaments in a successful and timely manner, including the 2014 CONCACAF Gold Cup.”

H/T Sports Illustrated

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