Blemishes in the beautiful game

News > Investigative Report

Accusations of fraud and illegal profiteering in the Thai Premier League were answered last week, while multiple other allegations of corruption, cover-ups and conflicts of interest continue to dog football in Thailand

Published: 23 Sep 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Spectrum

The findings of an ongoing parliamentary investigation may threaten the existence of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), said the spokesman of a committee on corruption last week. As a public organisation under royal patronage and a recipient of public funds, the FAT is not allowed to seek profit, but evidence that the Thai Premier League (TPL) runs on a profit-making model could lead to court-ordered sanctions including dissolving the body that runs football in Thailand.

UNDER PRESSURE: Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Worawi Makudi strongly denies charges of illegally profiteering from the Football Association of Thailand, fraud and financial mismanagement.

FAT president Worawi Makudi is no stranger to controversy, having been implicated in accusations of bribery in his role at Fifa, the world football body, where he is an executive committee member. He has denied wrongdoing in the past, and last week held two press conferences to deny charges of illegally profiteering from the FAT, fraud and financial mismanagement.

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bkkfarang1
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Discussion 11 : 23 Sep 2012 at 21.5411
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Is their anything in Thailand that is not corrupt, they are now ruining the great game of football for personal gain. It has to stop!!
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DONHUAN
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Discussion 10 : 23 Sep 2012 at 21.3910
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Let the due process of law takes it’s full course; and thereafter, the Authority concerned should take this golden opportunity presented to reorganize, wholesale, the entire FAT structure, it’s affiliated football associations and even change the Auditor, so that there will be more transparency and accountability. People with proven good track records should be appointed to the appropriate positions. And more importantly, do not allow any senior position to be held by one person for more than three consecutive terms.
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Silkpit
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Discussion 9 : 23 Sep 2012 at 18.269
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Totally corrupt from bottom to the top, as anything else in Thailand.
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bubbs
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Discussion 8 : 23 Sep 2012 at 14.528
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Bring back Peter Reid. Sorry can't they would have to pay him
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samesame
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Discussion 7 : 23 Sep 2012 at 12.447
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The UK was telling you this guy was a crook a few years ago he said he would sue and never did the US told you the head of the tourist board of Thailand is a crook in both casses Thailand did nothing so the rest of the world must assume that from the very top everyone in the country is corrupt.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 6 : 23 Sep 2012 at 12.136
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There's so much eye popping detail dirt here I just don't know where to begin but the ultimate legacy is that Thailand is ranked 131 in the world, and Worawi is probably very well rewarded for that. But it all sounds a bit like FIFA themselves, clean up the whole damn sport!
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bern1005
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Discussion 5 : 23 Sep 2012 at 10.575
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Why would anyone expect the FAT to not be corrupt? If you are a phuyai you "know" that you are entitled to bend to rules and corruptly put money in your pocket.
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bluebottle
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Discussion 4 : 23 Sep 2012 at 10.164
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Are we surprised?I take exception that corruption in sport is world wide.Sweeping statements like that do not help.What is certain is that in this country corruption is the norm not the exception.
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uberbraun
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Discussion 3 : 23 Sep 2012 at 09.083
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'Professional' sports are corrupt WORLD WIDE. Why should Thailand be any different?
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upena
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Discussion 2 : 23 Sep 2012 at 07.392
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Another day, another scandal
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