FIFA official Canover Watson was arrested for suspicion of corruption and money laundering according to Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report. Watson, the vice president of the Caribbean Football Union and a member of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee, was arrested by the Royal Cayman Islands police ant-corruption unit.
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.”
Even though these charges are against Watson as an individual and not FIFA related, it comes at a really bad time when FIFA is already dealing with allegations of corruption concerning the Qatar bid to host the 2022 World Cup. It is not a good look that a member of the FIFA “financial watch-dog” committee has been accused of money laundering.