I thought only Jack was able to fight for CONCACAF

[Mosiah]

CONCACAF head Jeffrey Webb urges FIFA to give North, Central America more influence


BY GRAHAM DUNBAR, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MARCH 19, 2013

Players of Mexico poses with their trophy after beating United States, during the final 2013 FIFA Under-20 Concacaf World Cup qualifier football match in Puebla State, Mexico, on March 3, 2013.
Photograph by: Jose Castanares , AFP/Getty Images
ZURICH, Switzerland — The CONCACAF region that includes the United States wants a bigger say in the decision-making at the heart of FIFA.

Jeffrey Webb, president of football's ruling body for North and Central America and the Caribbean, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he will urge his FIFA executive committee colleagues this week to look at how their influence is shared and how the panel's seats are allocated among the six continental confederations.

CONCACAF currently has three representatives in the 25-member committee. Webb wants that increased to four.

Webb believes that FIFA has a chance to make a modernizing change in its current reform program, and should also reward Asia and Africa with a bigger say by giving them one extra committee member each. They currently have four apiece.

"Right now, it's not on the table, there's no discussion and that is one of the disappointments from my standpoint," Webb said in an interview at FIFA headquarters.

With confidence in CONCACAF growing after two years of turmoil, he has targeted hosting the 2026 World Cup in either Mexico or the United States.

Webb also hopes the region will send four teams to next year's 32-nation tournament in Brazil. CONCACAF has three guaranteed places, and can earn a fourth in a November playoff against the team advancing from Oceania's qualifiers.

First, the FIFA board chaired by President Sepp Blatter begins a two-day session Wednesday, and is due to approve a slate of reforms which FIFA's 209 FIFA member nations will vote on in Mauritius in May 31.

"I am hoping this week will be the start of a discussion that FIFA starts to look at proportional representation throughout the confederations," Webb said. "There is a potential for us to miss an opportunity and I don't think we should."

The Cayman Islands banker will lead a three-man delegation representing his 35 FIFA member nations, along with Chuck Blazer of the United States and Rafael Salguero of Guatemala.

Africa (54 nations) and Asia (46) combined are inpidually outnumbered by eight committee members from UEFA representing 53 member countries. Europe has traditionally held most power since football's world governing body was formed by a handful of countries in Paris in 1904.

If there was to be a re-shuffle of executive committee members, it could well cost UEFA some influence.

Webb indicated that not all traditions have their place in the modern game.

"What was created (109) years ago does not necessarily reflect the realities, and I don't think is relevant to today's world," Webb said.

As for FIFA's reform program, UEFA has published its own list of suggestions, while CONCACAF unanimously backed the slate proposed by a FIFA-appointed task force.

"I'm really happy and proud that our confederation embraced (the task force's) work and respected their work," Webb said. "We are prepared to adopt the recommendations they propose, but I think it needs to go deeper."

Webb said he has yet to discuss his proposal with UEFA President Michel Platini, who is a probable candidate to lead FIFA in 2015.

However, the CONCACAF leader expressed support for Blatter's commitment to modernize FIFA.

"I am sure that President Blatter is very much committed to (reform)," Webb said. "He wants a FIFA that is transparent, he wants a FIFA that is built on solid foundations."

For CONCACAF, which had no quarterfinalists at the 2010 World Cup, better performances can boost its political ambitions.

Webb said all six teams remaining in World Cup qualifying -- Mexico and the United States, plus Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica and Panama -- are capable of advancing to Brazil.

"You see the level of competition that is taking place now. This speaks to the development in national associations," he said.

Still, a longer term goal has been set.

"We want to host the 2026 World Cup," Webb said. "And we want to win the World Cup."



Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/s...#ixzz2SZI5bNlx

[Karl]

Thought Webb had replaced Jack! ...and therefore as in life when one 'dies' the hope is the 'son' will be even better at advancing the cause of the family?

It is Webb's turn to run with the baton and hopefully he shall be vastly more successful than Jack at advancing the cause of football...and particularly our CFU and CONCACAF regions.

Jack laid the groundwork...albeit one wherein he took 3 steps forward and 2 backward. It should not be too difficult for Webb to take 3 or more steps forward as eliminating the backward steps shall give him a leg up. ...adding to those 5 steps (all going forward i.e. 3+2 = 5) is the big task.

On an insular note can Jamaica take full advantage of such forward steps? ...we certainly did not take full advantage of the available opportunities during Jack's reign ...as our slow...very slow..pace of development of our local football industry is testament.

[Mosiah]

So Jeffrey learnt from Jack? Perhaps! But it's ludicrous to believe that Jack and only Jack could have initiated all that he did for CONCACAF.

For me, Jack gets no kudos for doing what anyone could and probably would do.

And he gets my condemnation for all the alleged deeds that took place, at CONCACAF's, CFU's, the JFF's and by extension, my expense!

[Peter R]

Karl,

I read an interesting article ( I will try to find it) where the writer looks at the development of the T&T football since the early 70s. Basically, he poos poos jack's influence; he says that T&T almost qulified for WC 74 when there was only one (or 2?) CONCACAF spots... T&T were robbed by the ref in their last match v Haiti if you recall.

It took them he says over 30 years to reach where they were back in the 70s. So, ascribing T&Ts success to JW is just hot air.

More if I find it. Have to run!

[Karl]

So Jeffrey learnt from Jack? Perhaps! But it's ludicrous to believe that Jack and only Jack could have initiated all that he did for CONCACAF.

For me, Jack gets no kudos for doing what anyone could and probably would do.

And he gets my condemnation for all the alleged deeds that took place, at CONCACAF's, CFU's, the JFF's and by extension, my expense!

Of course Jeffrey learnt from Jack. Anyone who did not would be not just a fool...but a damn fool.

As to "only Jack could have done what he did" - As far as I know you have been the only person suggesting anyone on this board or any other place has put forward that position.

Having said that, warts and all Jack did, what Jack did! You can 'kill up' yourself denying some of Jack's legacy but unfortunate for you, the facts are the facts.

[Karl]

I think I saw that somewhere, Peter.

An amusing article. It is the type silly argument...false comparisons used by those who wish to bury achievements of those they wish to hate/decry.

Just think on it T'dad almost qualified for a World Cup...she then qualifies and the author of the article wishes to have all believe that the efforts that got T'dad success is not worth commending...

Half-truths are lies...damn lies!

btw -

...“the record leaves no doubt that Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer did much to promote and develop the sport of football both in the CONCACAF region and globally over a period of more than two decades.
Each man deserves considerable credit for his contributions to the advancement of football. Nevertheless, it is equally apparent that Warner and Blazer, together and individually, used their official positions to promote their own self-interests, and frequently acted with disregard for the interests of the CONCACAF member associations and with disdain for the rules that governed their conduct.”

Source: CONCACAF's Integrity Commission as published in http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/tri...ort/2013/04/23

[Mosiah]

Some facts gwine reach Jack. A hope him have a good lawyer!