FIFA Corruption: Documents Shows Detail of Jack Warner 'Bribes'

Photo credit- BBC

The corruption in FIFA have been one of the most talked about since last week. However, a BBC investigation has seen evidence that details what happened to the $10m sent from FIFA to accounts controlled by former vice-president Jack Warner.  The money, sent on behalf of South Africa, was meant to be used for its Caribbean diaspora legacy programme.

But documents suggest Mr Warner used the payment for cash withdrawals, personal loans and to launder money. The 72-year-old, who has been indicted by the FBI for corruption, denies all claims of wrongdoing.

The papers seen by the BBC detail three wire transfers by FIFA. In the three transactions - on 4 January, 1 February and 10 March 2008 - funds totalling $10m (£6.5m) from FIFA accounts were received into Concacaf accounts controlled by Jack Warner. At the time, he was in charge of the body, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The money was paid in instalments from January 2008 to March 2009. The largest payment was $1,350,000 paid in February 2008. US prosecutors say the money was mostly paid back to Mr Warner in local currency.

Jack Warner is one of 14 people charged by US prosecutors over alleged corruption at FIFA. The US Justice Department alleges the 14 accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m (£97m) over a 24-year period. Mr Warner however denies all charges of corruption.

 In a recent statement he said he had given lawyers documents outlining the links between FIFA, its funding, himself and the 2010 election in Trinidad and Tobago. He said the transactions also included Mr Blatter.

"I will no longer keep secrets for them who actively seek to destroy the country. The gloves are off".

Speaking to his supporters at a rally later the same day, he promised an "avalanche" of revelations to come.

Mr Warner, who faces extradition to the US, was released on bail after handing himself in to police in the Trinidad and Tobago capital Port of Spain last week.

He says he is an innocent scapegoat who will soon reveal the truth of what happened inside Fifa.