Jack Warner, former CONCACAF president and vice-president of FIFA, will not be extradited to the United States following a ruling from Trinidad & Tobago’s High Court.

For years, Warner was accused of rampant corruption in world football, and the US levelled 29 charges, including bribery and money laundering, against him.

The High Court of Trinidad & Tobago held that the charges he would face in the US were not adequately formalised and the conduct of former justice ministers of the twin-island republic was questionable.

Some said Warner was the victim of a political witch-hunt and that there were those all too willing to serve his head on a platter to US authorities.

On beating the extradition, Warner said: “After ten years, I am thrilled, I can’t find adequate words. I’m relieved by the fact that we were able to win on this matter. The extradition has been permanently stayed. For me, it’s a big event, it’s a red-letter day, and all I can say is I thank God and I want to also thank my family for standing with me through these difficult times.”

“I can’t see it any other way except it being a political witch hunt, and this happened to me at a time when I was serving this country at one of the highest levels in parliament. And you recall I was at one time Minister of Works and Transport [and] Minister of National Security—I was leaving the country when this happened to me. So I consider it to be a witch hunt, but more importantly, what happens after this, I want to say to you that I am prepared to serve the country once again.”

“I want to be able to revive football in the country. I want to be able to lend to the sport that made me who I am, some help because I think that football can do wonders, especially at this point in time, qualifying for the World Cup.”

Warner, now 82, was banned for life by FIFA over the massive corruption scandal also involving South Africa in 2015. While facing the extradition charge, Warner was on US$370,000 bail.

“Nothing can take away the pain and humiliation I felt for the past ten years, and don’t forget my incarceration,” added Warner.