FIFA rules Jack violates Code of Ethics

At their meeting in Zurich, Switzerland the Committee for Ethics and Fair Play concluded that Warner, because of his involvement with Simpaul Travel Service in Port-of-Spain, has a conflict of interest with regard to ticketing for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

And as a result he has violated FIFA's Code of Ethics.

The committee under the chairmanship Senes Erzik of Turkey, concluded that The FIFA Executive Committee will now discuss this matter on March 16 and 17.

At that meeting Warner could face serious censure and maybe expulsion from the world governing body for football.

It is understood that Warner himself had brought the matter to the committee's attention. Warner, a former school teacher who is now a multi-millioniare businessman and deputy leader of an opposition political party, has been embroiled in controversy following Trinidad and Tobago’s qualification for the World Cup Finals in Germany last November.

Critics pointed to the fact that Simpaul Travel Service, of which Warner is a director along with his son Daryan and wife Maureen have been granted exclusive rights to sell the tickets for the World Cup matches involving Trinidad and Tobago.

At stake are approximately 10,000 tickets granted to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation whose sale to the public is still shrouded in secrecy.

The tickets are being marketed as part of a package deal costing upwards of $35,000 which includes double occupancy accommodation, meals and internal travel to the stadiums at Dortmund, Nuremburg and Kaiserslautern.

Fans wishing to travel to Germany intent on making independent travel and accommodation plans have voiced their concern that they have not been able to purchase the tickets from the TTFF unless they book Simpaul packages.

FIFA rules dictate that World Cup tickets granted to the national football organisations must not be linked to any travelling packages but must be made available to the public through a system that will ensure transparency, fairness and equality.

Warner on Tuesday stated that all tickets for the Trinidad and Tobago matches at the upcoming World Cup tournament in Germany from June 9 to July 9 have been distributed.

And according to Warner, FIFA is satisfied with the methods used to distribute the tickets.

Trinidad and Tobago will first play Sweden on June 10 in Dortmund and then face England in their second encounter on June 15 in Nuremburg.

The Soca Warriors, captained by veteran striker Dwight Yorke come up against Paraguay in their final preliminary round match on June 20 in Kaiserslautern.