Beleaguered by corruption accusations for the past several years CONCACAF will begin its quest for transparent governance anew when it meets to elect a new executive in Mexico City today.Two candidates, Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani and Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden will go head to head for the top job in regional football, a proverbial hot seat that has amazingly seen the last three officials serving in that capacity arrested on corruption charges.
The region’s woes began in 2011 when then CONCACAF president Jack Warner and several other regional officials were involved in the cash-for-votes scandal.
Warner and the other CONCACAF executives were accused of taking cash bribes from then FIFA presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hamam. Warner was given a life ban from the sport.
Jeffrey Webb, who replaced Warner, with promises of a fresh start and transparency, was arrested last year on charges which included money laundering, racketeering and fraud. Alfredo Hawit, who replaced Webb as interim president, was then arrested in December.
Initially, the contest for the CONCACAF presidency was a three-horse race but general secretary and president of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), Gordon Derrick, was prevented from contesting the election by the FIFA ethics committee, despite passing all the integrity checks put forward by the association.
Both remaining candidates have again pledged transparency and reform for the new administration. (Sportsmax.com).