Jack Warner says he has 'avalanche' of FIFA evidence

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has suggested he knows why Sepp Blatter resigned as FIFA president Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has suggested he knows why Sepp Blatter resigned as FIFA president

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner claims he knows why Sepp Blatter resigned and says he has an "avalanche" of evidence regarding alleged corruption at the sport's governing body.

In a political address entitled "The gloves are off" broadcast in Trinidad and Tobago, Warner said he feared for his life, but would reveal everything he knows, stating he had instructed his lawyers to contact law enforcement officials in his homeland and overseas.

Warner also said that when he heard Blatter was stepping down, he wrote to him urging his immediate departure from FIFA.

"Blatter knows why he fell. And if anyone else knows, I do," Warner said.

He said some of the documents he had related to financial dealings with FIFA, some of which are being investigated by US authorities.

South Africa Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula has denied any wrongdoing over winning the rights to host the 2010 World Cup South Africa Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula has denied any wrongdoing over winning the rights to host the 2010 World Cup

But he also said he had documents linking FIFA officials, including outgoing president Sepp Blatter, to the 2010 government election in Trinidad and Tobago.

Warner used the pre-recorded broadcast, televised on TV6 in Trinidad and Tobago, to say he has compiled a file of documents that shows "a link between FIFA, its funding and me, the link between FIFA its funding and the United National Congress (UNC) and the People's Partnership government in (Trinidad and Tobago's) general election 2010."

The TV6 website reported that in the five-minute broadcast, Warner said the file "also deals with my knowledge of international transactions at FIFA, including its president Mr Sepp Blatter and, lastly, other matters involving (Trinidad and Tobago's) current prime minister".

Warner added: "I apologise for not disclosing my knowledge of these events before. There can be no reversal of the course of action I've now embarked upon.

"I have kept quiet, fearing this day might come. I will do so no more. I will no longer keep secrets for them who actively seek to destroy the country. I reasonably actually fear for my life."

The former CONCACAF president said he has compiled reams of documents and is delivering them to his lawyers.

Warner added: "Not even death will stop the avalanche that is coming. The die is cast. There can be no turning back. Let the chips fall where they fall."

Bryan Swanson on the latest after US authorities released the testimony given to them by Chuck Blazer Bryan Swanson on the latest after US authorities released the testimony given to them by Chuck Blazer

Warner is among more than a dozen officials charged by the US Department of Justice in the $150 million corruption and bribery investigation.

US investigators say he solicited bribes worth millions and charged him with offences including racketeering and bribery.

He has been accused of taking a bribe of $10m from South African officials in exchange for votes in the 2010 World Cup bidding process. South Africa’s minister of sport again denied those allegations on Wednesday, claiming the payment was for another project which was “above board”.

Warner’s address on Wednesday came hours after American Chuck Blazer, another former FIFA executive committee member, admitted taking bribes relating to a range of tournaments, including the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.

Warner is facing possible extradition to the United States after being indicted by American authorities on the corruption charges but indicated he will fight this.

He added: "I have no intention of allowing them to deprive me of my freedom.”