FIFA president Gianni Infantino did not mince words in reference to former FIFA vice president Jack Warner, insisting he had very little regard for the embattled official.
Infantino was recently in Trinidad and Tobago for the opening ceremony of a new hotel at the home of football in Couva.
“A very instrumental, negative figure for football, unfortunately,” was the FIFA President’s blunt assessment of Warner’s legacy when asked by the local media.
“I don’t need to say anything about that. The courts have spoken about that and will continue to speak about that," he added.
Warner, who was also a former CONCACAF president and special advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), was banned from the sport for life in 2015, in light of his alleged involvement in money laundering and wire fraud. Warner is currently battling extradition to the United States. In 2015, the former government minister was one of several other FIFA officials arrested in Zurich before the annual FIFA Congress.
Earlier this year a United States court ruled that Warner should repay US$79 million that he had fraudulently obtained from CONCACAF.
CPL stars set for 30 percent pay drop
Top-rated cricketers taking part in this season’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are expected to suffer a 30 percent pay cut as a scaled-down version of the tournament is expected to be confirmed for Trinidad and Tobago in a week’s time.
According to the latest information players earning between US$21,000 and US$112,000 will receive a salary 30 percent lower, when compared to last season. Players in the US$20,000 bracket will receive a 10 percent pay cut with no salary cut for players below that bracket.
The entire tournament is expected to take place in Trinidad and Tobago, with players staying in the tournament hotel under conditions overseen by a medical advisory committee and matches played in empty stadiums.
CPL Operations manager Michael Hall claimed the devastation caused by the spread of the coronavirus had made the idea to stage the tournament a trick decision. But felt it was important to send a message that the region is ready to do business again.
"Should the tournament take place it will take place entirely in Trinidad & Tobago, which is the most successful country in the Caribbean in controlling the spread of the virus - recording just one new case since April 30 and just 117 total cases overall," Hall, the CPL wrote in an update sent to various stakeholders, quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"One of the consequences the Covid-19 pandemic will have is that the CPL will be played behind closed doors in 2020. We were therefore faced with the very difficult decision of whether to play the tournament at all,” he added.
"[But] we also felt strongly that it is important for cricket to be seen to be getting underway again as well as to show the world that the Caribbean is open for business.”
Hall added that the executive expected to get approval from the Trinidad and Tobago government next week. The tournament will be held from August 1 to September 12, with the first matches on August 18 and the final on September 10.
Black people want equality, not revenge - Bravo
West Indies T20 star Dwayne Bravo has joined the growing throng of celebrity voices calling for an end to racism, saying all people of colour want is equality.
'I can't even get an interview' - Man U legend Yorke vows to continue fight against racism in football
Manchester United legend and retired Trinidad and Tobago international Dwight Yorke has decried the continued existence of racism in English football and vows to fight until some of the inequalities are addressed.
Yorke’s major bone of contention stems from the fact that he believes former players, who are white, are given more of a chance to coach, despite being equally or less qualified. The former striker, who completed his coach badges years ago, pointed to a situation with Aston Villa a few years back as a prime example. Despite admitting that he may not have the requisite experience, the player believes he should be given the chance to at least make his case.
In January of 2017, a League Managers Association’s report showed “statistics clearly identify a significant under-representation of BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) individuals. in England football's management ranks” The report revealed the damning statistic that only 7.61% of English football league managers are black and served to make the case. Over 25% of English football players are non-white.
“It’s a fact that Sir Alex Ferguson, who’s been tremendous and like a father figure ... when I applied for the [Aston] Villa job, I went into his office and told him exactly what I was trying to do,” Yorke told beIN Sports.
“He gave me some experience, he told me what I needed to do and I picked his brain. At the same time, he picked the phone up and rang Villa for me to give his recommendation.
“He’s always said to me, if I need anything, any recommendation to break into management, he would vouch for me – even to this day. With his help, I still can’t get an interview. I still can’t get an interview to this day,” he added.
“That is what we are facing today.”
To combat the disparity between white and minority managers, the English League introduced the Rooney Rule, in 2019. Similar to the NFL version, which was established in 2003, it dictates that every club must interview at least one BAME candidate for each senior coaching role vacancy. Yorke, however, does not believe the rule has been effective.
“It is an absolute joke,” said Yorke, 48. “It’s not been implemented whatsoever. And if you go even deeper and you follow it in the NFL, there are new rules ... If you hire a black manager you go up in the league or something,” he added.
“The players obviously have gone against that because it’s a token gesture. This Rooney Rule hasn’t been implemented for years. I know Sol Campbell, I spoke to Sol Campbell. He went to Grimsby, he was trying his nuts off just to try and get a job,” he added.
“He went to Macclesfield, someone who’s played the level he has, and now he’s at Southend. When you see other players – I can call names, but I won’t – other players have been fast-forwarded and fast-tracked.
“You have seen, on the other hand, white players given that platform with very little experience, straight into management,” Yorke continued.
“There is a serious issue here. I’m going to fight this all the way. I’m still very hopeful.”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content
of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative,
passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
