PORT OF SPAIN: The ‘FBI mystery’ has provoked Jack Warner, Trinidad & Tobago’s National Security Minister, into commenting on the reports swirling around himself and his family writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Warner, who had been a vice-president of world football federation FIFA and president of the CONCACAF and Caribbean Football Union regional authorities, walked away from the game in 2011 over bribery allegations.

He returned to the centre of football focus, however, after reports last week that one of his sons was ‘assisting’ the FBI in its inquiries into money-laundering and the financial affairs of various organisations and individuals in Caribbean, Central and North American football.

Warner, having largely kept his counsel since quitting football, responded that critics and opponents were using the latest reports as a means to attack the government of Kamla Persad–Bissessar through him.

He said: “I do not think you know of any other politician who for the last three years has been maligned and who has been crucified as I have been,” said Warner, who held the offices of vice president of FIFA and president of CONCACAF until his suspension and eventual resignation from these roles in 2011.

“The one objective in mind is to get rid of Jack Warner, because there are those who believe that if you get rid of Jack Warner then you get rid of a major chunk or chink in the government`s armour.

“At the end of the day, I don`t have to respond to them.

“Friday was the crucifixion. Today is not, and I will continue and I will do what I have to do. I have nothing to be afraid of and I sleep very soundly at night.”

# # # #