MASTERBLASTER

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner 'diverted' some $10million paid by the South African government to host the 2010 World Cup to pay his personal bills.

The cash had been paid to FIFA and then moved to CONCACAF accounts controlled by Warner. Officially, the money was intended for 'football legacy schemes' but it was moved around Trinidad and Tobago by the 72-year-old businessman.

Prosecutors believe that the South African government paid out $10 million to FIFA in bribes in order to win the right to host the 2010 world cup.

Warner is among nine current and former FIFA officials and five corporate executives charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with running a criminal enterprise that involved more than $150 million in bribes.

Prosecutors say Warner solicited bribes worth $10 million from the South African government to host the 2010 World Cup and diverted funds for personal use.

The BBC reported on Sunday that it had seen documents showing Warner had used the money for cash withdrawals, personal loans and to launder money.

'The papers seen by the BBC detail three wire transfers by FIFA,' the report said.

'In the three transactions -- on 4 January, 1 February and 10 March 2008 -- funds totalling $10m from FIFA accounts were received into CONCACAF accounts controlled by Jack Warner.'

Warner, a central figure in world football's deepening scandal, had constantly denied any wrongdoing but vowed last week to tell investigators all he knew about corruption within the sport's governing body.

The 72-year-old announced his plans to reveal all in a paid political address in his homeland of Trinidad and Tobago, entitled 'The gloves are off'.

According to the BBC: 'The documents reveal how the money was spent and moved around.

'JTA Supermarkets, a large chain in Trinidad, received $4,860,000 from the accounts.

'The money was paid in instalments from January 2008 to March 2009. The largest payment was $1,350,000, paid in February 2008.'

However, despite being on an INTERPOL wanted list, Jack Warner is still incredibly popular in his native Trinidad and Tobago.

Joy Hawls Duyel, 48, defended the controversial businessman.  'Criticism from the outside is just wicked people who want to say bad things about Mr. Warner.'

Last week, Hawls Duyel slept outside the jail where Warner was held for a night at the request of US authorities, before he walked out on bail. 

Daryl Meade has no doubt. Warner can do no wrong, has done no wrong, and may one day be Trinidad's prime minister.

'He's a very good person. He did a lot in football, getting Trinidad into that world stage.

'He's been hounded down on an international stage for whatever reason. I personally think that it is sad to see someone with his qualities go through this,' he added, saying he would give Warner 'condolences for what he is going through.'

It has also been claimed that Warner accepted a $1 million bribe from Morocco to secure his support for their 2010 World Cup bid, although it is alleged he later double-crossed them and instead backed the South African bid as they had paid more cash.

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times reported that US Prosecutors are investigating the $10 million payment, including allegations that outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter held a meeting with Warner over the cash.

It has emerged that Morocco may have even won the secret ballot for the 2010 World Cup, but the result was changed.

Ismail Bhamajiee, FIFA executive council member from Botswana was filmed by the paper saying: 'After talking with everybody... Whose votes went where? We're all colleagues, you know. And then we found out that actually Morocco won by two votes.'

FIFA in a statement refused to comment directly on the latest allegations instead said: 'These matters are being investigated by the proper authorities, ie, government agencies, not newspapers.

'And FIFA is fully co-operating with these investigations.' 

Brent Sancho, Trinidad's Sports Minister and a former international footballer, was appalled by the revelations.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Sancho said: 'He [Mr Warner] must face justice, he must answer all of these questions. Justice has to be served.

'He will have to account, with this investigation, he will have to answer for his actions," added Sancho, who played in all three of Trinidad's matches at the 2006 World Cup finals.

'I'm devastated because a lot of that money should have been back in football, back in the development of children playing the sport," said Sancho.

'It is a travesty. Mr Warner should answer the questions.'

Warner has proclaimed his innocence since being arrested on May 29 at the request of US authorities who have sought charges against 14 top football officials and sports marketing executives.

The former Trinidadian security minister is currently free on bail of $400,000 bail pending a decision in his extradition case.

Warner - still a powerful member of parliament in Trinidad and Tobago - has taken out paid advertisements in the Trinidadian media, published articles in local newspapers and held rallies with his Independent Liberal Party to defend himself.

The South African payment is a central part of a US case that FIFA officials took bribes totalling $150 million over two decades.

The US indictment alleged that bundles of cash in a briefcase were handed over at a Paris hotel as a bribe by a 'high-ranking South African bid committee official'.

South Africa has strongly denied that it paid bribes to secure the 2010 World Cup - the first hosted in Africa and a key plank of Sepp Blatter's pledges when he took over as FIFA president in 1998.

South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula denied the allegations during a press conference: 'We as a government and people managing the resources of the South African people - we did not share part of your resources with criminals, I am saying it now and forever

'The South African government and its people will not stand in any way of pursuing justice, criminality (and) fighting corruption in sport.'

Culled from Daily Mail