FIFA Finance Watchdog Member Temporarily Suspended During Probe

FIFA has temporarily suspended a member of its financial watchdog
after he was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money-laundering
in his native Cayman Islands, soccer's governing body said on Tuesday.

Domenico Scala, head of FIFA's Audit and Compliance Committee, said
that although preliminary investigations had not established any
connection between the allegations and Canover Watson's role in
football, Watson had been relieved of his duties while the
investigation continues.

"After a preliminary clarification of the facts of the case and the
allegations of the Cayman Island investigating authorities against
Canover Watson, no connection with football and/or his role at
association level has been established at this stage," said FIFA in a
statement.

"The investigation continues. The chairman has decided to temporarily
relieve until further notice Canover Watson, to whom the presumption
of innocence applies, of his duties on the FIFA Audit and Compliance
Committee.

"This should not be regarded as routine procedure, because cases like
this or of this nature must always be assessed on their individual
merits."

Watson, one of eight members of the committee and a vice-president of
the Caribbean Football Union, has denied the charges and been released
on bail in the British overseas territory.

The allegations refer to Watson's time at the head of Cayman's Health
Service Authority and follow a police investigation into the
introduction of a swipe card system.

Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption Commissioner David Baines, in a
statement to local media, said that Watson was suspected of "breach of
trust contrary to section 13 of the Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption
Law, as well as abuse of public office... and conflict of interest."

Baines also cited "suspicion of money-laundering contrary to section
133 of the Proceeds of Crime Law" in the Watson case.