MIAMI BEACH, Florida (CMC) – CONCACAF has begun its restructuring exercise, establishing three new crucial committees as the confederation continues to rebuild in the wake of last year’s controversial cash-for-votes scandal. Following an Executive Committee meeting here Tuesday, newly installed president Jeff Webb announced the formation of the Integrity, Audit and Compliance and Ethics, aimed at continuing to reform the organisation.
“The creation of these committees is the next logical step in the transformation of CONCACAF, demonstrating that we are committed to transparency and reform,” said Webb, who was last month picked to head the continental governing body for football in the North, Central America and Caribbean region.
“We are working meticulously with professionals possessing competence and integrity to fill positions on each committee. The Integrity Committee will be completely independent and will be free to carry out their respective mandates.”
Positions on the respective committees are expected to be filled in coming weeks.
CONCACAF, which boasts a membership of 40 associations, found itself at the centre of controversy last year when its then president, Trinidadian Austin ‘Jack’ Warner, was accused of corruption in the lead-up to the FIFA general election.
Following his suspension by FIFA’s ethic’s committee pending investigation, Warner eventually resigned the post he had held for 21 years.
Barbadian Lisle Austin, who then acted as president, was subsequently suspended by CONCACAF for contravening its statues before being slapped with a one-year ban by FIFA.
CONCACAF will now hold its Extraordinary Congress in Panama City later this year where it will discuss governance, audit and revision of the body’s statutes “to ensure that they are in compliance with FIFA requirements.”
“The congress in Panama will be a decisive event in the confederation’s history,” Webb said.