FIFA’s former vice president and members of his family were allegedly paid almost $2 million by a company linked to a former Qatari soccer official just weeks after it was announced that Qatar would host the 2022 World Cup, The Telegraph reported on Monday.
Jack Warner, the former vice president for soccer’s governing body, was apparently paid $1.2 million, personally, while $750,000 was paid to his sons. Another $400,000 was dispersed to one of Warner’s employees, The Telegraph noted.
FIFA’s curious decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup has faced intense scrutiny with speculation that money may have helped influence FIFA’s decision.
The FBI is investigating Warner and his alleged ties to the Qatari company, Kemco, which is owned by FIFA’s former Qatar executive, Mohamed Bin Hammam. A document revealed by The Telegraph showed that Warner asked for $1.2 million from Kemco in December of 2010, just weeks after Qatar was announced as the tournament’s host.
Another document claims that more than $1 million paid to Warner covers “professional services provided over the period of 2005-2010.”
The report notes that Warner’s eldest son, who lives in Miami, is aiding the FBI with the investigation.
Warner stepped down as FIFA’s vice president in 2011 amid accusations of “facilitating bribes” after 14 years in the position.
“A report by the FIFA ethics committee found that there was ‘compelling’ evidence that Mr. Warner was an ‘accessory to corruption,”’ the report stated.
The bribes were reportedly on behalf of Bin Hammam, who was vying to become FIFA’s president over current FIFA head Sepp Blatter.
