MIAMI: The power struggle within CONCACAF took another twist Friday when Lisle Austin, the ousted acting president of the confederation, said he had won a court injunction in the Bahamas that would result in his return to office. CONCACAF's statutes say the organization “is a Bahamian not-for-profit corporation with its legal domicile in Nassau, Bahamas”, and that led Austin to turn to the Caribbean island's legal system. “I am gratified but not surprised by today's order. I have stood firm in my belief that I rightfully succeeded to the Acting Presidency of CONCACAF and today's order affirms my belief,” said Barbadian Austin. Austin, as the most senior vice president, became acting head of the confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean when long-standing president Jack Warner was suspended by FIFA's Ethics committee after allegations of bribery last month. But after trying to sack the body's American general secretary Chuck Blazer, Austin was himself suspended by a majority of the CONCACAF executive committee. That suspension was extended to a bar from international football activities by FIFA Thursday. But Austin, who had announced a ‘forensic audit' of CONCACAF's finances over the past five years, said he was now back at the helm of the organization. “My efforts to lead the Federation into a new era begin again today. The rogue faction attacking CONCACAF from within cannot interfere with our love of this sport and our pursuit of reform and transparency,” he said. Honduran Alfredo Hawit was appointed acting president by the majority faction and he along with Mexican soccer chief Justino Compean, Ariel Alvarado of Panama and Sunil Gulati, the president of the US soccer federation, had voted for Austin's suspension. Blazer as general secretary announced Sunday it was “business as usual” for the organization which is currently hosting its premier tournament — the 12-nation Gold Cup. Blazer was not immediately avaliable for comment.
