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Official takes a swipe at English clubs

ONE of the most powerful men in world football has blasted those that do not give enough respect to the Caribbean football fraternity.

In an exclusive interview, Jack Warner, the President of CONCACAF (Confederation Of North Central American and Caribbean Association Football), Vice-President of FIFA (Federation Internationale De Football Association), told the Voice of Sport of his disappointment with some within the game.

Warner suggested that the English Football Association and some clubs have on occasion failed to show enough respect to the nations that make up CONCACAF. Warner declared: “The region does not get much respect. English clubs do not respect when we ask for our own players. “I had a run in with the guy from Sunderland (manager Roy Keane) and I did not want to go down to his level. But it showed me the sort of views that they have about us.

“They consider us to be irritants at best. But more and more of our footballers are proving themselves, which is most gratifying.” A furious row began when Sunderland forward and T & T talisman Dwight Yorke withdrew from his country's squad to face the United States earlier this year. Warner, also a special advisor to the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation, initially accused former Manchester United star Keane, now Sunderland boss, of being disrespectful for allegedly withdrawing Yorke from the match. But Keane retorted: "Yorke is retired. I've told Jack what I think of him and where to go. He's a clown, a disgrace."

Warner, known for his ability to shoot from the hip, however, argues: “African-Caribbean footballers will continue to do better and better because they have natural talent. “All that is needed is some degree of coaching, which is coming but our ability has been there from birth. “The world now respects Barack Obama and our time will come in the world of football.” Austin "Jack" Warner has never been too far from controversy. A former school teacher, he is the owner of Joe Public F.C., a professional football club based in Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago.

Warner has been a member of the FIFA Executive Committee since 1983, and CONCACAF President since 1990. His Presidential term will end in 2011. Warner is of the opinion that no matter what hurdles are put before Caribbean footballers and administrators, the game in the region continues to progress at pace.

“The sport is on the way up and will be for some time. One of the reasons for that is the efforts being made by the likes of Digicel in terms of sponsorship for the region. FIFA too has given every country some funding. “The ambitions of each country in the region is very high and the administration in those countries is better than it has ever been. Countries have their own offices and don’t need to conduct business from their cars as they used to and things are on the up generally.” World Cup finals appearances by Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz and Trinidad’s Soca Warriors has left an imprint on the football stage, according to Warner.

And with Jamaica within sight of yet another finals in South Africa in 2010, Warner is excited. “As I speak to you Jamaica are competing in a group with Honduras and Mexico and the Reggae Boyz are proving that they can compete on an equal footing. “To beat Honduras and Mexico in consecutive matches says something and I hope that Jamaica do well in the last match on November 19.”

Published: 18 November 2008
Issue: 1347

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