Back home after being let off by the Executive Committee of FIFA on charges of ethics violations, Jack Warner wined on stage with Phagwa celebrants and then wined on his critics, although he said they wanted to kill him politically.
By Richard CharanWarner said that before jetting home from Switzerland on Saturday night, he was the one who applied for, and was granted more tickets for sale to Trinidadians wanting to see the Soca Warriors in action in Germany.
Warner was in a celebratory mood last evening at a Phagwa function held at Palmiste Pastures, San Fernando.
Last Friday, FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter announced that Warner, a FIFA Vice President, had been cleared of all charges arising out of his family's ownership of Simpaul's Travel Agency. The agency is the sole ticketing agent for the World Cup. FIFA investigated the charges based on an exclusive Express investigation, and after Warner requested an investigation.
Warner, the UNC's Deputy Political Leader, said: "As we all know, the allegations was a political matter. They thought they would discredit me, kill my spirit, my good name and my standing in my country. They figured if they killed me, it would affect the UNC but it didn't work. But don't believe this would be the last time they will try this."
He added: "They will cross me again and I am ready for them. I am happy to be among my people. I feel at home."
Warner said of his family's travel agency: "I have severed ties with the travel service.
I asked FIFA to tell me where is the conflict of interest. They didn't tell me. I went to them, so what is the big hullabaloo?"
Warner, who was doused with abeer and plastered with coloured powder during his stage antics, also promised to tell all about the "level of treachery" involved in in the FIFA ticketing scandal.
About the World Cup tickets, Warner said: "We are getting more tickets.
All those people who wanted four (tickets) and under will get. I made an application and FIFA have accepted it. We will have more tickets than we need."
