You don’t know Jack; Wired868 explores Warner’s farewell tour

“Mahatma Gandhi said: all through history, there have been tyrants,” said Chaguanas West MP and ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner. “But in the end, they fall.”

Irony is lost on Warner, the former history teacher who became a millionaire football official but is now fighting extradition to the United States. So too satire, if one judges from his hilarious attempt to besmirch the intentions of the United States Department of Justice on the basis of an Onion article.

Photo: King in his castle. ILP political leader Jack Warner gets "rock star" treatment at a cottage meeting after his release on bail.
Photo: King in his castle.
ILP political leader Jack Warner gets “rock star” treatment at a cottage meeting after his release on bail.

But then most things bounced off the football official who was once called “Teflon Jack.” He, after all, once backtracked on a vow with the memorable catchphrase: “Yesterday was yesterday, today was today.”

And, throughout his career, he has shrugged off his own lies—such as his denial about overselling the National Stadium on 19 November 1989 or his ownership of the CONCACAF Centre of Excellence—with the most outrageous bravado.

In essence, Warner is and has always been a salesman. And he knows the one thing that matters most to the person on the other side of the table is not his CV.

Often, all that counts is his response to the time-honoured question: “What is in it for me?”

Whether Warner was speaking to impoverished constituents in Chaguanas West or a would-be Prime Minister, activist Wayne Kublalsingh or FIFA president Sepp Blatter, DOMA head Gregory Aboud or acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams; he invariably tended to offer the right answer.

Photo: Ex-TTFA general secretary and CONCACAF president Jack Warner (centre) chats with then FIFA president Joao Havelange (left) and former Germany World Cup coach and captain Franz Beckenbauer. (Copyright AFP 2014)
Photo: Ex-TTFA general secretary and CONCACAF president Jack Warner (centre) chats with then FIFA president Joao Havelange (left) and former Germany World Cup coach and captain Franz Beckenbauer.
(Copyright AFP 2014)

And, in what is almost certainly his farewell tour, Warner has, at least temporarily, regained control of his narrative, as he pitches up tent in tiny speaking areas throughout the country in his hardest sell of all time.

Warner is a wanted man who must convince the law to protect him. He is a greedy, allegedly crooked, multi-millionaire politician who must convince the people that he has their interests at heart.

He is a rejected administrator, grounded on a tiny two island republic in the southernmost Caribbean, who must convince the world that he is still capable of rocking the most powerful single-sport governing body on the planet.

And he is a political reject who must strike fear—but, somehow, not hate—in the colleagues who exiled him, two years ago, but are his last chance of escaping an international warrant.

Love him or loathe him, it is impossible to ignore him.


Photo: Chaguanas West MP and ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
Photo: Chaguanas West MP and ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

On Wednesday evening, Warner paid the country’s major television station to essentially relay a threat to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

“I have, as promised, compiled a comprehensive and detailed series of documents including cheques and corroborated statements,” he said, “and placed them in different hands… In so doing, I have placed the outcome of those matters beyond even my own reach.

“Retracting them is now an impossibility; there can be no turning back.”

He went on:

“These documents treated my knowledge and involvement in certain matters:

the link between FIFA, its funding and me; the link between FIFA, its funding and the United National Congress and the People’s Partnership Government in (the) general elections 2010; these documents deal with the section 34 fiasco; they also deal with my knowledge of financial transactions at FIFA, including but not limited to its president Mr Sepp Blatter. And, lastly, other matters involving the nation’s Prime Minister.”

Those documents, Warner claimed, are in the hands of four different people. And he explained the circumstances under which they would enter the public domain.

Photo: Ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (left) and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar share a light moment during the 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. Warner served as Works Minister and National Security Minister for the People's Partnership Government before his resignation in 2013. (Courtesy FIFA.com)
Photo: Ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner (left) and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar share a light moment during the 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.
Warner served as Works Minister and National Security Minister for the People’s Partnership Government before his resignation in 2013.
(Courtesy FIFA.com)

“I will therefore release—or if I am incarcerated or even dead—I will therefore release (the information through) those persons who have the evidence on my behalf,” said Warner, at a subsequent political meeting last night in Battoo Lands, Marabella.

Two things are, arguably, evident in Warner’s statement.

First, he views his knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago and FIFA politics as no more than leverage for his own personal gain.

“I’ve never viewed myself as anything but a proud patriot,” said Warner, while simultaneously denying the country vital information with regards to its governance.

Secondly, he recognises that only the threat of an exposé, rather than the act itself, can save him now.

Warner is not trying to bring down Persad-Bissessar’s Government, even though it might look that way. He is trying to get their attention and protection.

Photo: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar takes a ride in a new police vehicle. (Courtesy UNCTT.org)
Photo: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar takes a ride in a new police vehicle.
(Courtesy UNCTT.org)

Once he delivered his threat, he needed to demonstrate his ability to carry it out; a demonstration of his continuing influence. This is not easy for a politician who failed to even reach the 12.5 percent polling threshold needed for an invitation from the T&T Debates Commission (TTDC) to a leadership debate.

At Marabella, it was easy to do a headcount of the people who turned up for the political meeting on the tiny street.

There were 50 supporters seated under ILP’s two tents and another 15 persons whose attire and demeanour suggested they represented the administrative arm of the party. Outside of the tents, there were just under 100 people milling about and half of them were journalists.

For a man on the edge and liberally spouting threats at a time when FIFA is crumbling and the PP is desperately clinging to power, the sparse audience suggested that Warner is not half the crowd-puller he once was.

But he will back himself to change that soon.

Photo: ILP political leader Jack Warner.
Photo: ILP political leader Jack Warner.

As always, Warner was modestly attired. He wore a black trousers with a green ILP shirt and matching suede shoes that looked worn but not old. There were two simple rings—one a wedding band—and a tasteful gold bracelet as well as the customary baseball hat, which meant to soften his image in much the same way as sporting a shirt with no tie.

His left hand, which he often lay on the podium, trembled as he spoke. God knows what physical condition this 72-year-old man, famed for long hours without sleep, might be in with an Interpol notice on his head, the US Attorney General on his back, the fruit of his loin—Daryan and Daryll Warner at his throat—and his former Parliamentary colleagues sneaking up from behind with knives.

“My family is now experiencing a turbulent future to the pleasure of some and the despair of others,” said Warner. “They have a hatred of Jack Warner… The smallest country with a vice president of FIFA for over 15 years; and they don’t see that as a plus you know.

“They see that as a reason for condemnation.”

Warner spoke of his own mortality more freely than is his custom and even engaged in some rare self-pity.

“Neemakarams!” his supporters roared at identified critics.

Photo: An ILP supporter declares his allegiance to Jack Warner.
Photo: An ILP supporter declares his allegiance to Jack Warner.

But he stayed true to character in using witty put-downs as his main party piece. For instance, he described Sport Minister Brent Sancho, a former World Cup 2006 player and long-time adversary, as a man who got one million dollars to score an own goal and let England striker Peter Crouch play with his hair.

The small crowd was in stitches. At times, they finished his sentences or goaded him on.

It is worth mentioning that Warner, despite his speech impediment, is one of the country’s foremost public speakers. He rarely repeats himself or rambles, he uses colourful analogies and earthy language, his voice is warm and vibrant and he releases snappy soundbites as regularly and efficiently as champion boxers use their jab.

“If you want to know your friends, just spend one night in jail,” said Warner.

The small crowd, who obviously know about rough times, cheered and nodded sagely at each other.

Warner warmed to his own narrative as the poor black boy who had done well for himself and his friends, only to be betrayed by the system. Last night, the system meant Persad-Bissessar more than it did Blatter.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (left) and Leader of Government Minister Roodal Moonilal.
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (left) and Leader of Government Minister Roodal Moonilal.

“If she can say (that she did not receive funding from me) not once, not twice but three times…” said Warner, with a mournful shake of his head.

“That is Judas!” shouted one supporter, who warmed to the theme.

He claimed that he paid three month’s rent for Persad-Bissessar at a house in Santa Margarita, soon after she became Prime Minister. And there were the usual flashes of cheques sent to UNC’s advertising agency, Ross Advertising.

“Kama-liar!” screamed one woman.

And that he allegedly paid for the schooling of Leader of Government Business Roodal Moonilal’s wife in London.

“Skeleton come out with no clothes!” shouted an excited listener.

But, most of all, he portrayed himself as the man of the people who never forgot where he came from; and a person whose only sin was supposedly learning the game too well.

“Who he thief from?” one woman rhetorically asked her companion. “You?! He thief from England!”

Ex-FIFA VP and MP Jack Warner (centre) is flanked by former England football captain David Beckham (left) and ex-FA chairman Lord David Triesman.
Ex-FIFA VP and MP Jack Warner (centre) is flanked by former England football captain David Beckham (left) and ex-FA chairman Lord David Triesman.

No harm there, then. Warner’s skullduggery within FIFA’s hallways was every bit as charming to his loyal fans as Diego Maradona’s handled goal against England was for so many Argentina supporters, during and after the 1986 World Cup.

Warner was throwing tidbits for the international press now.

He compared disgraced Qatari football official Mohamed Bin Hammam’s “gift” of US$40,000 to Caribbean delegates, in the lead up to the 2011 FIFA presidential election, to the England FA’s earlier courting of him.

In his inimitable way, Warner declared himself innocent of wrongdoing while simultaneously suggesting, if he was guilty, his critics were just as bad.

“Of what difference is it between Bin Hammam and the English national team coming here to play Trinidad and Tobago?” asked Warner. “What is the difference between Bin Hammam and (David) Beckham having coaching clinics at the Centre of Excellence?

“But the problem is in 2011, a Muslim was brought against Blatter. And the second thing was a Muslim caused the US to lose the (World Cup) bid.

“Because, as far as they are concerned, Muslims are not important…”

Photo: Former England star David Beckham (right) tries to escape from Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Densill Theobald.
Photo: Former England star David Beckham (right) tries to escape from Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Densill Theobald.

Warner is believed to have been gifted the television rights when England met Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly on 1 June 2008. And England’s World Cup bidding team was evasive when asked financial questions about Beckham’s six-day camp in 2010.

Andy Anson, CEO of the 2018 World Cup bidding team, said the cost of the clinic was “for David Beckham to answer” when asked by this reporter then.

Phil Mepham, media coordinator for the 2018 bid, said: “The cost is irrelevant. We are not getting into that.”

While Beckham explained: “I don’t know how much it costs, but as long as the kids are happy…”

FIFA’s “Rules of Conduct” for World Cup bids, at the time, forbade not only monetary gifts but also: “any benefit, opportunity, promise, remuneration or service to any of such individuals, in connection with the bidding process.”

Warner further insisted that Qatar was only as guilty of buying the World Cup as everyone else.

Photo: FIFA president Sepp Blatter (left) and ex-Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam. (Copyright AFP 2014/Kamarul Akhir)
Photo: FIFA president Sepp Blatter (left) and ex-Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Kamarul Akhir)

“The Arabic world paid as much money for FIFA (World Cup) rights as anybody else,” said Warner.

Warner then suggested that financial inducements were part of FIFA’s culture while, at the same, denying their existence.

“When Bin Hammam came here, what he did or didn’t do was not inconsistent with FIFA practice for over 100 years,” said Warner. “South Africa didn’t give me any $10 million bribe… Each media is trying to outdo the other and write nonsense.”

It was not enough to rattle anyone in FIFA’s corridors. But why would he wish to do so?

FIFA allowed him to keep the Centre of excellence without legal challenge, after all, and that is almost certainly his main source of income at the moment.

Four years after his threatened “tsunami” that would wash Blatter away, he still has not uttered an incriminating word of substance about the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids or any other meaty scandal during his tenure.

Photo: President Barack Obama (left) hosts FIFA president Sepp Blatter (centre) and then vice-president Jack Warner during the United States' ill-fated 2022 World Cup bid.
Photo: President Barack Obama (left) hosts FIFA president Sepp Blatter (centre) and then vice-president Jack Warner during the United States’ ill-fated 2022 World Cup bid.

Yet, four years on, he can still draw as much foreign reporters to the country as the Carnival season.

He claimed that he emailed Blatter to “empathise” over his shock FIFA resignation and suggested the Swiss should leave immediately, rather than stick around to potentially “cook the books” before his departure.

“I said Mr Blatter I empathise with you,” said Warner. “Because I was in 2011 where you are today. The only difference is you caused my demise but I didn’t cause yours.

“And I will say more on that…”

All over the globe, editors booked plane tickets to Port of Spain for their ace reporters. But if Warner wanted to spill the beans on FIFA, he would have done so years ago.

And, if he does have incrimination information not already known to US authorities, it will be used as leverage in a FBI interrogation room, not given to a journalist—no matter the presumed gravity of his employer. He is merely name-dropping with intent.

Photo: Former FIFA vice-president and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner. (Copyright AFP 2015)
Photo: Former FIFA vice-president and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner.
(Copyright AFP 2015)

With no army of people to build trenches around his compound, as they did for Tivoli Gardens drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke in Jamaica, Warner is trying to use the foreign media as his cloak instead.

In an election year, Persad-Bissessar cannot help but notice that Warner’s utterances travel much farther than hers. The football official hopes that this uncomfortable fact buys him the same perceived protection that UNC financiers Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson enjoy from US lawmen.

So, Warner must continue this charade, feeding hilarious and absurd soundbites woven around kernels of truth.

“Nobody in this country, nobody in this country, nobody in this country could ever say anywhere, anytime,” said the self-declared Arouca ‘Robin Hood’, “that I put my hand in this nation’s treasury!”

The crowd roared with approval.

“Never!”

Photo: ILP political leader Jack Warner (centre) gets a kiss from an enthusiastic supporter during a cottage meeting.
Photo: ILP political leader Jack Warner (centre) gets a kiss from an enthusiastic supporter during a cottage meeting.

Local journalists tried to keep a straight face.

Mostly, he reiterated that he was only bad as every else, if even that.

“How come LifeSport, nobody concerned about that?” asked Warner. “A fellah get 40 million dollars to teach. What they said about that? Nothing. But they are concerned about FIFA’s money…

“Take care the hole they build for Jack Warner, they fall in it!”

He continued.

“No contractor alive or dead can say they gave me a kickback,” said Warner. “Everything I have now I had before politics. But there are some guys in politics now who had nothing before.”

Little Warner says on FIFA or the Government stands up to scrutiny. But his narrative is consistent and he does not break character.

Photo: Ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner and UEFA president Michel Platini keep each other's company at a FIFA event.
Photo: Ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner and UEFA president Michel Platini keep each other’s company at a FIFA event.

He is the poor boy done good in a cut-throat industry, who is forever punching upwards. Such an image, if you fall prey to it, will not be shaken by news that he took the millions in cash or kind which Australia or England were gullible or crooked enough to toss in his direction.

If news that Warner allegedly failed to relay relief funds for Haiti, after its devastating 2010 earthquake did not cause him to immediately become a pariah, then there is no convincing his supporters now.

But Warner’s followers are thinner than ever. The pressure exerted on the Government for his extradition is immense. And, presumably, the local and international press will realise, sooner or later, that they are just pawns in his game of thrones.

“I have decided, under these circumstances, to no longer to keep secrets for them who now seek to actively destroy the country in which I live,” said Warner. “I have decided, under these circumstances, to no longer to keep secrets for them who now seek to actively destroy this country’s hard-won international image.

“At the age of 72 years old, I have no intention to allow them to deprive me of my freedom.”

Photo: ILP political leader Jack Warner.
Photo: ILP political leader Jack Warner.

The last sentence is the key. Warner is not trying to destroy anyone; he is trying to save himself.

And, like a cornered cat, he is doing his best impression of a lion.

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About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

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64 comments

  1. And he is using the media to deliver those threats and magnify them. Clever when you think about it. He just drops Blatter’s name and… Boom! He is on BBC and CNN.
    Other politicians must be envious.

  2. How do you nominate someone for a Pulitzer?

  3. My favourite line “And, like a cornered cat, he is doing his best impression of a lion.”

  4. Lasana Liburd, your gift makes even the sad unpalatable truths, a pleasure to read. Beautifully captured insight that expresses what a lot of us feel, see and think, but can’t quite articulate as you have done. “Love him or loathe him, it is impossible to ignore him.” Indeed. Fantastic write, Lasana Liburd!

  5. If this all boils down to #NotTonight, I would not be surprised. Jack is attempting to intimidate the PM into protecting him. (I’m no fan of Kmler but she better know not to fall for that!) While he denies wrong doing, he simultaneously admits to it in his not so veiled threats. This is so disgusting and traumatising, further assaults on our already abused national psyche.

  6. Best analysis of this fracas, you got it spot on

  7. Lasana you nailed it. Jack will not go willingly or quietly, who knows 2-3 years down the road 75 yrs old, dementia? Jack’s got the US on his back! https://youtu.be/754VnZ212yM

  8. He’s a joke and a disgrace to T&T.

  9. …from rags to riches… Now it looks like the opposite..

  10. Two thumbs up! Keep this up and it won’t be too long before the daily papers, already boring by comparison, become completely irrelevant.

  11. That’s why more is needed than simply getting rid of Sepp.

  12. We are well aware that Jack is a scamp and our record for dealing with white collar crime is abysmal. But they aren’t in a position to rub our noses in it when they were always happy to play along.

  13. He must be in his glee with all the international media spotlight on him

  14. I am starting to think that JW is obsessed with publicity and attention and it does not matter whether it is good or bad. If I am right then he i

  15. Best Sports writing in the Caribbean one of the best in the world (by the foremost JACK WARNER expert!)
    I see the Daily Mail also has someone down here and some are saying Trinis like Jack the Robin Hood of the 21st Century,. Not a favorable impression of T&T. Lasana Liburd

  16. Really enjoyed reading this. Going to share.

  17. I disagree with Mr Warner on many counts. But he’s spot on with his criticism of Sports Minister Brett Sancho., he’s really a guy who was paid $1 million to score an own goal & to have Peter Crouch caress his hair

  18. He is desperate to stay out of jail!!!

  19. Lasana Liburd this answered my question after watching tv6 news tonight!!! Excellent analysis!!!

  20. Stop it… this is all your fault u know. The pressure u exerted made it hard for the poor man to cover his tracks better. The. emotional distress was too much. But i am glad someone else finally pointed out the obvious rubbish in Jack’s ranting. Contradicting himself constantly and making it more and more obvious that he has no one’s best interests at heart but his own… as it always has been. I really have to give it to him though – he is a smart bugger. U have to give him at least a little bit of credit. When the FBI needs a snitch to get u…. u gotta give him some credit.

  21. I’ve had a long slow seething anger at that man. I not one to be gleeful in the face of others discomfort but he is one of the few I make an exception for.

  22. Best part of being friends with friends of the author…. Alternatove endings – Lasana Liburd u should have gone with that one. Lol

  23. Of course u do Asha… u love anything against poor Jack.

  24. Excellent Expose. Not much more can be said. Despite the bravado, his riches and his current internalional ‘stardom (via the press) this warrior is wounded and hurting. He smiles with his face but there is sadness in his eyes. His remnants of ‘friends’ will desert him once this wave is over and reality strikes. Who knows of his mood behind closed doors and in intimate moments with his wife. Lasana, i agree this may be his ‘last dance. May God Bless his soul.

  25. You see any sense in that ”strategy?”

  26. I need to buy you a beer or ten when I get to PoS

  27. And it is unbelievable the number of international reporters that have been in touch or are pouring into the country. They see this as the spin-off of the Blatter story. But I think they will be disappointed in the end.

  28. for all the thiefing,i still woulnt want to see him spend the rest of his life in a US prison,

  29. Great piece of work here! Great writing and great analysis of the character.

  30. He talking his usual big talk and I am sure it will lack substance as it has in the past.

  31. “Warner has, at least temporarily, regained control of his narrative, as he pitches up tent in tiny speaking areas throughout the country in his hardest sell of all time.” This line made me angry because it’s true. And also because he’s actually fooling some people, while just looking like a fool to others, and making the country look foolish by extension… people who only knew how awesome trinidad was because of moi, now associate it with this clown… sigh

  32. What I would like to have addressed is whether their books were audited or if they have a ‘ loose ‘ accounting system? Seems that big fallouts in companies like Enron stem not only from illegal activities but unethical conduct as well. We should start costing the value of goodwill so entities engaging in unethical and illegal behaviour feel it where it hurts most-in their pockets!

  33. I decided the story was already long enough Kendall. Then I wasn’t sure if some might be insulted by the comparison, even though I would only be referring to the false bravado.

  34. I like it better than what you used Lasana.

  35. I like that…”Warner’s farewell tour” LOL

  36. Kendall Tull, I almost with this alternative ending:
    He quoted Gandhi but there might be more infamous world leaders that his false bravado closer resembles.
    “I am not going to answer to this so-called court, out of respect for the truth and the will of the Iraqi people,” said former Iraq president Saddam Hussein, as he drew near to his end. “I’ve said what I’ve said, and I’m not guilty… I am the president of Iraq and I refuse to answer these questions because this court is illegitimate…
    “A lion doesn’t care if a monkey is in a tree laughing at him.”
    Hussein was hanged in Iraq for crimes against his own people, after his country was overthrown by the United States.
    When the time comes for Warner to meet his own fate, he is unlikely to lack Hussein’s dramatical flair.

  37. A man clinging onto hir rhetoric in a pathetic attempt to save himself. You have to wonder if he knows something that the authorities don’t already know that can save him.

  38. “And, like a cornered cat, he is doing his best impression of a lion.”

  39. “Love him or loathe him, it is impossible to ignore him.”

  40. Figured as much. Well written again Lasana.

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