London: A majority of the 25 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members have reportedly turned down FIFA’s invitation to attend investigative interviews in Miami.
The probe relates to cash-for-vote claims about suspended Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Mohamed bin Hammam and controversial powerbroker Jack Warner.
According to news reports, Caribbean football associations have said that they will hold their own emergency meeting to discuss a way forward through the bribery claims crisis
The announcement comes after FIFA’s probe was branded “tainted and biased” by one member of the CFU.
Former FBI director Louis Freeh is leading the independent investigation into a May 10-11 meeting in Trinidad at which bin Hammam addressed CFU members.
Bin Hammam and Warner have been suspended over allegations that they offered one million dollars in bribes at the CFU summit.
Officials are said to have been offered 40,000 dollars in brown envelopes in exchange for their vote in the presidential election.
Freeh has begun interviewing witnesses who attended the meeting, including those who provided statements and sworn affidavits to the original investigation ordered by American FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer.
Both bin Hammam and Warner deny any wrongdoing.
ANI
First Published: Wednesday, June 08, 2011, 13:57