Zimpapers Logo

PORT OF SPAIN. — Trinidad and Tobago’s Centre of Excellence, a football academy built with millions of dollars from FIFA, today hosts more weddings and conventions than matches, a symbol of the shady dealings of fallen executive Jack Warner.

The $22.5-million centre, which includes a stadium, a practice pitch, a swimming complex, a hotel and sprawling conference facilities, was supposed to train a new generation of footballers from around the Caribbean.

But somehow it ended up registered as belonging to Warner personally instead of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), whose presidency the Trinidadian politician held at the time.

And despite the giant football, complete with CONCACAF logo, that sits atop a pedestal near the entrance, the pastel-coloured complex today does lots of non-football business – allegedly for the personal profit of Warner, who is also a former FIFA vice president.

“The Centre of Excellence has blossomed into a multi-purpose facility capable of hosting a range of functions and events catering to individuals and companies including locals and tourists with added amenities for business travellers,” it boasts on its website.

“In fact, the complex has staged and hosted everything from large executive events such as seminars, symposiums and trade shows including weddings, graduations and parties.”

The centre is named for former FIFA president Joao Havelange of Brazil, who agreed to help fund it before stepping down in 1998 after a 24-year reign that was, like that of his successor Sepp Blatter, overshadowed by scandal.

The complex boasts facilities such as a sprawling 5 000-capacity hall named for Blatter, who announced his resignation last week after US officials indicted Warner and eight other current or former FIFA officials in a sweeping investigation into corruption at world football’s governing body.

A smaller 140-capacity conference room is named for Nelson Mandela, who helped campaign for FIFA to name South Africa the 2010 World Cup host nation in a vote that US investigators now suspect was swayed by a $10 million bribe paid to Warner. — AFP.