Warner pledges CONCACAF support of Blatter as FIFA president.

(Sunday, May 24, 1998) -- CONCACAF, the governing body of North American, Central American and the Carribean, will support for Joseph Sepp Blatter in the upcoming presidential election of the world governing body FIFA, Jack Warner, president of CONCACAF and FIFA vice president told the Trinidad Guardian yesterday.

"CONCACAF will support Mr Blatter 150 percent," Warner told reporter Rey Davis.

Blatter, FIFA's general secretary and current European (EUFA) president Lennart Johansson are the two candidates running to replace outgoing 82-year-old Brazilian Joao Havelange who is retiring from the post after 24 years. The presidential election will be held June 8 in Paris, two days before the start of the World Cup.

Warner said he had canvassed the opinion of all member countries of the CONCACAF and the executive itself and he has gotten their approval to "go for Blatter."

Warner who said he is aware of support from Europe and Africa for Johansson stated CONCACAF did have an opportunity to hear from both candidates their policy and vision for the future of FIFA.

"Blatter is the hope for confederations like ours. He has a global vision as against a Euro-centric like Johansson," Warner said. "Blatter is the best person to carry on the legacy of Dr. Havelange of which in my humble view we at CONCACAF are the greatest beneficiaries.

"The CONCACAF members were not impressed in terms of what Johansson offered them and what of course Blatter offered.

Warner also said CONCACAF members felt slighted by Europe's light treatment of CONCACAF.

"Europe doesn't seem to believe they have any reason to help confederations like ours," he said. "There are no exchange of referees for example. There are no exchange programs. We have asked them to help volcano-stricken Montserrat for example and they have given it reluctantly after six months."