Evidence obtained by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) appears to back up allegations by former Football Association (FA) chairman Lord Triesman of wrongdoing by FIFA vice president Jack Warner. An e-mail obtained between Warner and Triesman in February 2010, may call for FIFA to open another investigation into Warner's conduct as FIFA vice president. Speaking to a parliamentary select committee earlier this month Triesman claimed four members of the FIFA executive committee made "unethical requests" during the bidding race for 2018 World Cup.
Triesman alleged Warner asked the FA for money to build an education centre in Trinidad and to buy TV rights to the 2010 World Cup on behalf of Haiti. In the e-mail obtained by BBC Warner asks Triesman to assist FIFA in purchasing the TV rights for Haiti. In the e-mail Warner mentions a company had bought the rights for US $1.6 million, but he (Warner) would be able to get the figure reduced. FIFA, in response to the e-mail, told BBC they were the ultimate owner of outdoor broadcast rights to the 2010 World Cup and no public viewing licence was ever granted to Haiti.
FIFA told the BBC it had no discussions anywhere in the world for an amount as big as US $1.6 million.
BBC sports editor David Bond said FIFA's response "poses serious questions over the deal Warner was trying to arrange with the FA." Warner had previously denied Triesman's allegations. FIFA had not confirmed its ethics committee would add that allegation to the charge sheet faced by Warner. The FA had launched its own inquiry, calling in Queen's Council James Dingemans to compile a report for FIFA.
Calls made to Warner's cellphone by the T&T Guardian last night were not answered.
JACK WARNER'S E-MAIL TO LORD TRIESMAN
Dear David:
My apologies for this belated response to your wonderful offer of assistance to Haiti for which I am really pleased. The people need all the help that we can give. I made a visit to Haiti last weekend to meet with the president of the Haiti FF (Football Federation) to ascertain first hand the needs of our football family.
A report has since been done which outlined their needs and proposals to meet these needs in the short, medium and long-term. The report is included for your information.
Based on this, I will leave it up to you to determine the best options of the FA as to how you all can assist. The FIFA, besides financial assistance, is providing them with large TV screens placed at two football stadia (at which stadia football can no longer be played in the immediate future) so that all Haitians can see the 2010 World Cup.
However, before the earthquake the owner of the rights had charged them US$1.6 million for the rights, a fee which they had agreed to pay. I have since spoken to the owners and can this figure be reduced substantially. If you believe that you can assist them in anyway by contributing in part or in whole to the purchase of these rights I am sure all of Haiti will be eternally grateful. Thanks again for your assistance you can give and I do look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards
Jack