Worawi to seek FAT re-election

Worawi to seek FAT re-election

Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi said yesterday he would seek re-election in a poll expected to be held in October.

Worawi Makudi

On Wednesday, the Bangkok South Criminal Court sentenced Worawi to a suspended jail term of one year and four months for falsifying documents ahead of the 2013 FAT presidential election.

Thai Premier League president Ong-art Kosinka, then FAT secretary-general, was also found guilty and received the same sentence.

Worawi reiterated yesterday that he was innocent and would appeal the ruling.

He said he would amend the FAT regulations so as to bring them in line with the 2015 sports law.

After that he will call a general meeting of members for them to approve the changes, he said.

"The FAT presidential election should be held by October and I will surely stand in the election,'' said Worawi who has been FAT president since 2007.

Several people are expected to contest the election. However, former national team manager Vanasthana (formerly Thavatchai) Sajakul has so far been the only one to declare that he will stand in the election.

"It is good to have several candidates,'' Worawi said.

In 2013, Worawi beat Virach Chanpanich 42-24 in a highly controversial FAT presidential election that required Fifa involvement.

Virach and his backers, including Pattaya FC president Nathaphon Panyakananukul, complained about foul play. Virach took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled in favour of Worawi.

Nathaphon also filed suits against Worawi with several courts including the Bangkok South Criminal Court.

Worawi had been a Fifa executive member for 18 years until he was voted out in April.

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