FIFA to punish Warner for violating Code of Ethics

The story about Jack Warner’s attempts to monopolise the sale of Trinidad and Tobago’s tickets to the World Cup in Germany through the family-owned company, Simpaul Travel Services, was first reported by Lasana Liburd in the Trinidad Express and attracted worldwide attention.

In a press release, Jack Warner stresses that he himself wrote to the FIFA General Secretary and asked him to refer the case to the FIFA Ethics and Fair Play Committee in order to “ascertain whether I have transgressed any ethical actions of any kind.”

In the press release, Jack Warner also explains that at the end of January he asked FIFA to send someone to do an audit of the sale and distribution of the FIFA World Cup tickets by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF).

According to Warner, a representative from FIFA Ticketing and Accommodation came to Trinidad and conducted an audit last weekend.

“The official left fully satisfied, thanked the T&TFF and us for the high level of transparency in the sale and distribution of tickets and for the cooperation given generally,” Warner says.

Expulsion a possible outcome
FIFA's Committee on Ethics and Fair Play convened on Wednesday this week and concluded that because of Warner’s involvement with Simpaul Travel Services there was a conflict of interest with regard to ticketing for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and as a result, Warner has violated FIFA’s Code of Ethics. 

In the press release, Jack Warner maintains that he himself asked the committee to make the findings public and to refer the matter to the FIFA Executive Committeee. 

According to the FIFA Code of Ethics the penalty for breaching the code could be expulsion. The code states in its section three that

“Only persons with the highest ethical principles who are willing to be bound by this Code without reservation may serve as an Official or a member of a body. Anyone who does not fulfill or ceases to fulfill these conditions shall be deemed ineligible to serve as an Official or a member of a body, and, if already in office, shall be relieved of that position.”

FIFA’s Executive Committee will discuss the Jack Warner case on 16-17 March.

Previous articles on Jack Warner:

Jack Warner sows confusion about tax on World Cup appearance

FIFA overturns Warner's attempt to deny reporter accreditation

FIFA vice president at the centre of ticket scandal