LONDON – FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against CONCACAF vice-president Lisle Austin on Tuesday for breaching football regulations by going to court to challenge his suspension from the regional organization.
Austin obtained an injunction from a Bahamas court allowing him to resume his duties after being suspended for rule violations, including trying to fire FIFA bribery scandal whistleblower Chuck Blazer from CONCACAF.
FIFA and CONCACAF statutes prohibit the use of “ordinary courts” to settle disputes, as world football’s governing body reminded members of the 40-strong federation representing North and Central America and the Caribbean earlier this month.
Get breaking National news
Austin, however, did not withdraw his injunction in the Bahamas, where CONCACAF is legally registered.
“We can confirm that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against Lisle Austin today,” FIFA said in a statement to The Associated Press.
The Barbados football chief assumed temporary control of CONCACAF last month when president Jack Warner was suspended over allegations he facilitated bribes to help FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.
But after less than a week as acting president, Austin was ousted by CONCACAF’s executive committee. FIFA extended the CONCACAF suspension to cover world football.
FIFA has already declared that Alfredo Hawit of Honduras – not Austin – is the rightful acting head of CONCACAF.
CONCACAF is seeking a new president after Warner quit his high-ranking football roles on Monday, leading to corruption charges against him being dropped.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.