Soccer-FIFA backs Warner over Dominica row

By Mark Ledsom

BERNE, Switzerland, Jan 18 (Reuters) - World soccer's governing body FIFA stood by vice-president Jack Warner on Friday following accusations by the Dominica football association (DFA) he had abused his power.

Soccer officials from Dominica threatened to take Warner to FIFA's ethics committee after he visited the tiny Caribbean island on Wednesday and recommended the removal of the association's executive committee.

The DFA said in a statement on Thursday that Warner had made a "unilateral decision" that was "unquestionably illegal."

FIFA, however, said Warner had been acting with the organisation's full backing and as part of a long investigation into the state of the DFA.

In a statement on Friday, FIFA said a delegation had first visited Dominica in July 2007 after the association's annual conference was suspended "due to an impasse concerning constitutional and procedural matters."

In November, a second delegation reported a "normalisation committee" might have to be established pending new elections at the DFA.

"As a result of the continuation of the various impasses at the DFA, another delegation travelled to the DFA... on 15 January 2008, this time consisting of FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner and (development officer) Harold Taylor," the statement added.

"Mr Warner has subsequently submitted his report and recommendations... which are now under review at FIFA."