National Security Minister Jack Warner's power in the world of football seems to be still alive.
The former FIFA vice president and former CONCACAF president yesterday admitted that his opinion was sought as to whether a newspaper journalist from this country should receive accreditation to attend a CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association of Football) congress in Panama next week.
Two years ago, amidst allegations of bribery, Warner resigned from the top posts.
At the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair yesterday, Warner said the 20 years he served as CONCACAF president has earned him the respect as his advice was still sought.
"I got a call this morning, where a newspaper here has asked for accreditation to a CONCACAF congress in Panama. They called to ask me if .. I think that is acceptable, I say give it to them," said Warner.
Warner said in all the years he served at FIFA and CONCACAF, there were never any requests for local journalists to attend a CONCACAF congress.
Asked for further information on the issue, Warner said: "I can't tell you who asked me nor will I tell you on what basis because after all I have been CONCACAF President for 20 years and I think that should be respected...if you or anybody else have any problem in getting accreditation and you want to get assistance, I'm prepared to help but I don't think I should tell you on what basis or who gave me that...”
Questioned on the matter of ethics, as he is a Government minister who has relinquished ties to the football bodies, Warner said he and a reporter may not share the same view on ethics.
Following a recent Reuters report, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar instructed Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran to seek information from US authorities on a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe into alleged corruption in FIFA in which Warner's son Daryan was a cooperating witness.
Ramlogan has written to US Attorney General Eric Holder requesting information on the issue.
Questioned on the matter yesterday, Warner, said he was not aware of any information relating to the issue.