BUDAPEST – Newly elected CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb has been appointed to a powerful executive committee of football’s world governing body FIFA.
Yesterday, the CONCACAF executive committee chose the 47-year-old Webb to serve on the FIFA executive committee, replacing former football supremo Jack Warner, who resigned all his posts with the world body last year.
CONCACAF is the confederation that governs football in North, Central America and the Caribbean.
Webb, who was chosen to lead CONCACAF on Wednesday, automatically becoming a FIFA vice-president, said he was determined to point the organization in a new direction in the wake of the cash-for-votes scandal last year.
“Over the last year we have witnessed and endured a lot, and I am certain the trials and tribulations are not over, but we have not allowed this situation to deter our mission and vision for CONCACAF,” he said here.
“The revelations made at the congress have also shaken the confidence of our membership, but Wednesday’s congress has also given me renewed faith and hope. It has confirmed that our confederation has changed; the rules of democracy, transparency and accountability now guide the action of every member of this union.”
CONCACAF’s choice of Webb as the newest executive committee member was immediately conveyed to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke following the meeting.
The executive committee of CONCACAF comprises Alfredo Hawit Banegas, Justino Compean, Captain Horace Burrell, Ariel Alvarado, Sunil Gulati, and Rafael Salguero.
Webb, who already holds several positions with FIFA, will complete the four-year term started by Warner, who ran the powerful body for 21 years before resigning last year amidst corruption allegations during the cash-for-votes scandal.
Webb will bring an impressive résumé to the office, as he currently serves as deputy chairman of FIFA’s internal audit committee and also sits on the FIFA transparency and compliance committee. (CMC/AP)
