‘Action Jack’ no angel before SA’s ‘donation’

FIFA publicly rebuked Jack Warner for a World Cup ticket sales scandal two years before South Africa entrusted him with a generous “donation” to uplift soccer.

The government was at pains this week to portray Warner — accused by the US of accepting a bribe of $10-million (about R120million at today’s exchange rate) from South Africa — as beyond reproach when the money was handed over in 2008.

But even a cursory check shows ample evidence was in the public domain by that time to cast doubt on the integrity of the Caribbean soccer boss.

Austin Jack Warner, or “Action Jack” as the 72-year-old is known in Trinidad, and his sidekick Chuck Blazer are credited with turning the once ailing Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football into a lucrative business empire.

The former history teacher served as president of the confederation for more than 20 years after being appointed in 1990. His family had several business interests and he served as a former minister of national security in Trinidad. He also owns a newspaper there, called Sunshine, in which he has penned an editorial lambasting corruption.

Warner’s Facebook profile describes how he, two brothers and three sisters were almost single-handedly brought up by their mother, Stella, a simple, hard-working woman with a firm belief in God.

“It is perhaps this upbringing which cemented the fighting spirit in the man who would eventually become one of the most successful businessmen in the Caribbean and a well-loved and respected politician.”

It makes no mention of how he was reprimanded by Fifa president Sepp Blatter for buying World Cup tickets that were resold by his son at inflated prices in 2006. Blatter said the Fifa executive had “expressed its disapproval over the conduct of Mr Warner”. Warner escaped sanction but his son — also implicated in the latest bribery scandal — was fined $1-million.

Warner made international headlines again in 2007 for asking John McBeth, former pres- AWAY GAME: Former president Nelson Mandela arrives in Trinidad and Tobago flanked by, at right, Jack Warner of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football

The fact that later they turn into gangsters is not our problem

ident of the Scottish Football Association, to pay a match fee into his personal bank account.

Warner also came under scrutiny during the Fifa world under-17 soccer championships in Trinidad in 2001 because his family secured several lucrative contracts, including catering.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and his director-general, Alec Moemi, described Warner this week as “a person of good standing”. “When we organised the World Cup we were dealing with people, not gangsters. The fact that later they turn into gangsters is not our problem,” said Mbalula.

Warner, in a dark suit, responded to his critics on TV this week, threatening to release an “avalanche” of dirt on Fifa and Blatter. “I will no longer keep secrets for those persons who now seek to actively destroy this country’s hard-won international image . . . There can be no turning back,” he said.

“I also wish to say to you tonight that I reasonably and surely fear for my life.”