FIFA official arrested on suspicion of corruption and money-laundering
Saturday 6 September 2014 15:39, UK
A member of FIFA's financial watchdog has been arrested in the Cayman Islands on suspicion of corruption and money-laundering.
Canover Watson, a businessman and vice-president of the Caribbean Football Union, has denied the allegations.
The 43-year-old sits on FIFA's audit and compliance committee, a body set up in 2012 to oversee and police the world governing body's finances.
He is a close friend of FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb, a fellow resident of the Cayman Islands and president of the CONCACAF confederation.
He was arrested by officers from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Anti-Corruption Unit and has been released on bail to report back to police on September 29.
The arrest follows a police investigation into a hospital swipe-card billing system in the Cayman Islands.
According to a police statement, Watson was arrested for "suspicion of breach of trust contrary to section 13 of the Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption Law, as well as abuse of public office."
Their statement also reported there had been "a conflict of interest and suspicion of money laundering contrary to section 133 of the Proceeds of Crime Law".
A statement from Watson to local media denied any wrongdoing: "I make this brief statement following my arrest in relation to suspected offences contrary to the Anti-Corruption Law.
"The allegations are denied. In due course, at the proper time and in the appropriate forum, I look forward to setting out my position in greater detail.
"I have been advised by my attorneys that it would be inappropriate for me to make further comment."
FIFA was unavailable for comment.
