PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) is seeking compensation from former football executive Jack Warner for the Centre of Excellence in Trinidad which he claims to own.
CONCACAF has filed three documents in the Trinidad and Tobago High Court challenging Warner’s rights to ownership of the Centre which also comprises a Stadium and a swimming pool.
Media reports from Trinidad suggest that Warner, who held the offices of Vice president of FIFA and President of CONCACAF until his suspension and eventual resignation, is reported to be seeking a purchaser for the Centre of Excellence on the international market.
CONCACAF is attem-pting to block Warner from mortgaging, leasing or selling the Centre of Excellence and is seeking a judgment for repayment of the funds advanced to Warner for the property.
Warner has claimed the land on which the Centre of Excellence stands was a gift from former FIFA president Joao Havelange.
CONCACAF, however, has always contended that Warner deceived the body into believing it owned the property, a basis it said it used to invest in its purchase and construction.
Legal documents claimed that CONCACAF made a financial contribution of US 16 million dollars towards the purchase of the property and construction of the Centre of Excellence. Acording to the legal notice , monies were provided “for the purpose of and in connection with its functions as the regional soccer federation for North and Central America and the Caribbean, with the intention that the Centre of Excellence and the said lands on which it is constructed and all improvements thereto would be owned by CONCACAF”.
