Two of the world's most powerful leaders, the United State's President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron both held audiences with Fifa Vice President Jack Warner yesterday. Warner, who is the longest serving Vice President of Fifa, is in Zurich to attend a number of crucial executive committee meetings, including tomorrow meeting to determine the host nations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Warner met with the British Prime Minister at the latter's suite in the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich and later spoke to President Obama via telephone. Warner described both discussions as pleasant and cordial. "I am always humbled by these experiences. I am a man born in a rural community in South Trinidad and today world leaders are seeking my support for a World Cup bid; the experience is almost surreal. Both President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron are very courteous, charming and knowledgeable individuals."
Warner's meeting with Cameron, which was planned almost two weeks ago on request from the British PM, lasted about 30 minutes. Both men touched on a number of topics including England's 2018 bid and the changing global political climate. "The British Prime Minister understands the importance and power of football. He reiterated his government's commitment to the World Cup and spoke extensively about England's legacy programme. A World Cup is not a one off-event; it is an investment in a country and its people. It is an event which must be seen as a catalyst for social transformation in any nation. The power of football to unite the world can never and should never be underestimated."
The conversation was not limited to football. Warner, who is also a senior cabinet Minister, raised issues affecting diplomatic relations between the Caribbean and England. Said Warner: "I advised the British PM that the Caribbean is feeling the pinch of the Air Passenger Duty and that they should revisit it. As a Member of Parliament in a Caribbean government, I feel the pain that is being felt by my Caribbean brothers and sisters. Many of us depend on tourism and the effect of this tax is grave.
I could not allow this opportunity to slip by and not highlight what I see as the great injustice being inflicted upon my Caribbean people. I asked Cameron to contact my Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and he promised to do so by the end of the day." Warner later spoke with President Obama via telephone at his hotel in Zurich. Warner said President Obama understands the importance of sport. "More importantly he understands the global appeal of football and all this beautiful game represents. In South Africa, one tournament, one game, one World Cup, united the world under one banner of hope, the US President can fully appreciate the importance of this tournament."
Warner added, "President Obama commended Concacaf on all it has achieved under my leadership and I thanked him for his kind sentiments. He emphasised the fact that the US is ready to host this World Cup and that his government is fully behind the bid team. He asked for my support in their quest to host the World Cup in 2022. It is a request which I will acquiesce to. The Concacaf family remains united behind its own. The US is our member. Like the principles of our game, we cannot turn our back on our family. I will say it again, for the 2022 World Cup Concacaf is behind the USA."