Jack Warner will triumph. That was the sentiment of Warner's Cabinet colleague, Minister of Housing and Environment Roodal Moonilal. He was speaking yesterday in a telephone interview concerning allegations of bribery against Warner as vice-president of FIFA. FIFA executive member Chuck Blazer accused Warner and its presidential candidate Muhammad bin Hammam of bribery and other violations of the FIFA code of ethics weeks before the body's presidential election.
Warner and bin Hammam are expected to attend a hearing on Sunday at FIFA's headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland. Moonilal admitted he did not know all the details of Blazer's allegations against Warner but was certain "Warner will triumph." Pressed as to whether he thought it was time for Warner to choose between his position as a Cabinet member or a FIFA member, Moonilal said: "No, not at all."
He said Warner's involvement with FIFA did not effect his ability to serve as chairman of the United National Congress (UNC) nor his ability to serve as a minister. He admitted there would be "matters arising" with Warner. However, he remained faithful to his Cabinet colleague. Moonilal noted the coincidence of the allegations and the hearing scheduled days before FIFA's presidential election, describing it as "glaring."