For the first time since the published three-part series on the issue of Jack Warner's association with the World Cup ticket packages being offered by Simpaul Travel Service Ltd, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) special adviser has admitted to ownership of the company.
By Kern De FreitasWritten by Lasana Liburd, the series, the first instalment of which appeared on Christmas Day, queried whether Warner's association with both the Football Federation and the travel agency who were offering first round World Cup packages to the tune of $30,000 exclusive of airfare was a conflict of interest.
It also raised the matter of the Trinidad and Tobago "Soca Warriors" having qualified for the 2006 World Cup, not yet being compensated for their achievement.
But Warner, in a scathing response yesterday at the Crowne Plaza in Port of Spain, insisted he would not apologise for "the business interests of the Warner Group of Companies", saying "it is not a crime to be successful, even for people like me", and that since he had "given selflessly to the cause of football", no one should "attempt to impute improper business practices and conflicts of interest to me".
Warner admitted that Simpaul Travel, a company owned by his family, held exclusive rights to Trinidad and Tobago's 2006 World Cup tickets.
"Simpaul is the only exclusive tour package from what they have paid for," said Warner. "They have paid for that from the Federation."
The FIFA vice-president further said that should the Soca Warriors get to the second round of the tournament, Simpaul would not be interested in distributing those tickets.
Warner blasted both the Daily Express series and reporter Lasana Liburd, saying the reason for yesterday's briefing was to "defend my good name and that of my family against the mischief and character assassination", in what he described as "a series of libellous articles". The CONCACAF president also charged that the series was "part of a well-timed, carefully-orchestrated character assassination, designed to devalue any political currency which opponents of the UNC feel I might have been developing as a result of the Soca Warriors' World Cup qualification..." and orchestrated by the ruling PNM.
He added that he had decided not to pursue any legal redress on the issue after "lengthy discussions with my attorneys, family and members of the UNC", having found it "sufficient to expose the story for what it is", although he reserved the "right to do so at any time".
Warner also said the media conference, which was broadcast live on radio, would be the only one where he would respond to the articles as his means to "expose the plot hatched by my political opponents and those of the UNC which they have in fact named 'Operation Get Warner: A prelude to the General Elections of 2006'."
Warner said that profit estimates of $50 million for Simpaul Travel Service from the sale of World Cup tickets were illogical, as the T&TFF had not yet applied for World Cup tickets, so that no specific price could be quoted for "Simpaul, or any other company".
But although he claimed Simpaul's World Cup match tickets had been ordered through a European tour operator, he would not say how many tickets had been requested.
Warner, who was flanked by officers from private security firm Protective Agencies Limited, also expressed concern over the safety of he and his family, saying such comments "jeopardise the safety and security of my family", and added he had requested additional security from Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul, but was yet to receive a response.
Warner also disclosed that in addition to $827,000 owed to Simpaul by the TTFF, the Football Federation was also indebted to the two other Warner family-owned companies named in the Daily Express articles-D Coal Pot, and Emerald Plaza in St Augustine-in excess of $500,000.
