CFU News - Warner praises veteran FIFA official

Warner praises veteran FIFA official

 

Issued on February 21, 2007

 

FIFA Vice President Jack Warner has praised Costa Rican football official  Isaac Sasso for his tremendous contribution to sport, in particular football, as the individual stepped down his position in the FIFA Executive Committee after 17 years.

 

Sasso,who has been to Trinidad previously, resigned because of ill health earlier this month, a couple days before his 81^st birthday. He will be replaced by Rafael Sandoval of Guatemala, CONCACAF announced.

 

"Through his many years of tireless service to the game, Sasso has made an enormous contribution to the sport he loves at every level from his won club in Costa Rica all the way up to his years of service on the FIFA executive committee,"  Warner said.

 

Sandoval will complete the remainder of Sasso Sasso's term, which expires in May. CONCACAF has two other votes on the 24-man FIFA executive committee. Warner, who is a FIFA vice president, and CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer.

 

Meantime, Blazer said he favoured Oceania holding direct entry to the Confederations Cup and Fifa's Club World Cup.

 

Blazer, in New Zealand to continue planning and preparation for next year's world under-17 women's championship, said he did not agree with suggestions the world club championship should be the domain of professional clubs only.

 

 As chairman of the 2009 Confederation Cup committee, Blazer is happy that the six confederation champions will be joined in South Africa by the hosts and defending champions.

 

"As long as we [FIFA] consider Oceania as a confederation we should treat them as such," said Blazer.