Concacaf wants 4 spots for 2014, Warner to be re-elected

This decision was taken by the Concacaf Executive Committee which voted unanimously to petition Fifa for the four spots on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road. Warner, who also reassured Fifa president Joseph Sepp Blatter of Concacaf’s continued support as he seeks re-election to Fifa’s highest office, said.

“Our members made it very clear today that we need four places and our region is united behind this position. I think we have paid our dues and we have showed that we can stand right up there with the best in the world and therefore we will go to Fifa with the hope of getting the fourth spot at the World Cup Finals,” Warner said.

At the Congress, Blatter fully acknowledged Warner’s mention of Concacaf’s intentions to go after a fourth spot. “I come back to your speech president Warner. Our game is a game which touches the world but never ever has there been a World Cup that touched the people like the one in South Africa. “What you are doing here in Concacaf also is a great job.

All what you are doing together in the completion of clubs and national teams, development of administration, refereeing, youth teams and women’s teams,And also what you are doing in the development of health in football is very commendable.” The Fifa Executive Committee will definitely take a closer look at the possibility of a fourth spot for Concacaf, said Blatter.

Warner to stand for re-election as CONCACAF President.

Jack Warner announced today at the 2010 CONCACAF Extraordinary Congress that he will stand for reelection as President in 2011.  Warner's announcement came at the conclusion of his report to the congress at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, detailing the Confederation's activities and progress.

Warner highlighted CONCACAF's economic stability and growth despite the world-wide economic downturn.  These resources have enabled CONCACAF to elevate the level and size of its competitions and programs as well as deliver direct support to its members.

Present at the Congress in Port-of-Spain were FIFA President Joseph "Sepp" Blatter and FIFA Executive Committee members Ángel María Villar and Franz Beckenbauer.  The Congress was sponsored by the United States World Cup Bid Committee.  Also present were representatives from the bid committees of England, Russia, Belgium/Holland, Japan and Korea.

Warner reassured President Blatter that he will continue to have "the complete support of CONCACAF and its member as he seeks reelection to FIFA's highest office."

The CONCACAF Executive Committee a day earlier unanimously voted to petition FIFA for four spots in the 2014 World Cup.

"Our members made it very clear today that we need four places," Warner said.  "Our region is united behind this position."

He also paid tribute to the victims of the Haitian earthquake in January and recognized the Haitian women's team that competed at the CONCACAF U-17 Women's Qualifying two months later.

Warner declared his personal commitment to help the United States host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

The committee also approved a two year budget highlighted by increased support for qualifying competitions in the Caribbean and Central America.

 “I think we have paid our dues and we have showed that we can stand right up there with the best in the world and therefore we will go to FIFA with the hope of getting the fourth spot at the World Cup Finals,” Warner said.

At the Congress, Blatter fully acknowledged Warner’s mention of Concacaf’s intentions to go after a fourth spot.

“I come back to your speech Mr Warner. Our game is a game which touches the world but never ever has there been a World Cup that touched the people like the one in South Africa.

“What you are doing here in Concacaf also is a great job. All what you are doing together in the completion of clubs and national teams, development of administration, refereeing, youth teams and women’s teams,And also what you are doing in the development of health in football is very commendable

Blatter added that Haiti will also be given a FIFA Presidential Award for its strive towards recovery following the devastating earthquake and the hope that has been given to its people through the inspiring performances of it’s national youth teams

“We will show them how much the football community cares about them. I want to thank Mr Warner for the initiative in assisting in this entire process in the rebuilding of Haiti,” Blatter said.

“But still Honduras they were a good team and they have given a strong opposition to the other teams in their group where the eventual champions came from. I follow very much the other teams Mexico and the United States… and the United States could have gone in the quarter finals easily,” said Blatter also commending Mexico for their performance in South Africa

“Therefore what you are asking for now with four direct entries is a gratification to consider,” Blatter added, saying that the FIFA Executive Committee will definitely take a closer look at the possibility of a fourth spot for Concacaf.

Blatter also congratulated the Local Organizing Committee and FIFA before the Concacaf members for its successful staging of the 2010 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup (By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).