Most Hated Men in Football – Part 9

Austin “Jack” Warner – FIFA

Listen up, England fans: Jack Warner, FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President, might be the one man you’re going to want to have a quiet chat with when hosting for World Cup 2018 is decided in 2011. A member of the FIFA Executive Committee since 1983, Warner’s position allows him tremendous influence over the bid decision.

Never one to avoid controversy (the BBC accused his family of re-selling 2006 World Cup tickets amounting to $1 million profit), at the recent ‘Leaders in Football’ conference at Stamford Bridge, the Trinidad & Tobago native unleashed a scathing attack on England’s attempt to host the tournament – branding their bid ‘lightweight’. While speechwriters for FA Chairman Lord Treisman hastily concoct a clever, diplomatic retort to Warner’s damaging comments, bid organizers for Spain/Portugal and Russia are licking their lips with glee.

Most Hated Men in Football

But this isn’t the first time Warner has rubbed England fans the wrong way. He originally announced his disapproval of England’s bid back in February 2008. Then he perversely remarked that, “England invented the sport but has never made any impact on world football.” I guess he forgot that England is one of only seven nations to ever win the trophy and that it possesses arguably the best domestic league in the world that churns out teams who regularly compete for European trophies and World Club trophies.

A word to the wise, Jack:  If you’re planning on making another trip over the Channel, make sure you check in under a different name.