It seems that Jack Warner, the confederation president who's part neighborhood gangster and part outlandish James Bond villain, is refusing to pay promised bonuses to the Trinidad and Tobago players who qualified for the World Cup Warner negotiated the bonuses and is a high-ranking member of the country's parliament. And Warner and his yes-men at the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation are refusing to pay despite repeated rulings requiring them to do so.
Perhaps even more troubling for Warner, the TTFF has been told it must open its books to an independent auditor. The federation has appealed again as it continues to dig for a legal loophole. FIFA members are governed by a code of ethics and not paying your debts is generally considered unethical," the players' attorney said.
He was caught illegally reselling World Cup tickets at a tremendous profit, yet was slapped only with a fine he still hasn't paid in full. He once demanded that the Scottish Football Association make out the check from a friendly between the countries to him personally. He levied public insults against England and then apologized only when the Football Association agreed to play Trinidad in a money-spinning friendly.
Then there's this hysterical rant over a handbag given to his wife by England's World Cup bid committee. What's Creole for 'chutzpah'? Last month, Norway's Dagbladet uncovered evidence that Warner once again illegally sold World Cup tickets acquired through official channels to scalpers. Keeping the Minnows Happy Why is Warner able to continue to defame soccer in this part of the world and act with such impunity?
Because he delivers money and favors to the people who maintain his position. This has even more relevance to American soccer fans because of recent developments regarding the new proposed system for World Cup qualification. It also may make it easier for one of those teams to qualify. FanHouse confirmed the proposed format with the confederation. Instead of eliminating 11 countries in a first round, two-leg playoff, the new structure will see just three exit early.
