The election for a new boss of the Football Association of Thailand could become chaotic again after the FAT yesterday postponed Saturday's poll.
Fifa official James Johnson, centre, after a meeting with FAT officials yesterday. Pattanapong Hirunard
The election delay followed yesterday's meeting between a Fifa delegation and FAT officials at a Bangkok hotel.
The delegation was in town to oversee the election, which was scheduled for Saturday, and set guidelines for a free and fair contest.
The delegation told the FAT to "postpone the election of a president, vice-presidents and members of its executive board which was due to take place on Oct 17", FAT lawyer Narinpong Jinapak said in a statement.
The move came a day after Fifa's ethics watchdog banned Thai football chief and former Fifa executive member Worawi Makudi for 90 days for an ethics breach.
Worawi, 63, has insisted on his innocence and said he will appeal the suspension.
The FAT president said he will fight to save his name and for justice.
"I am not guilty of anything," Worawi said.
Fifa's ethics committee said it had acted to sideline Worawi "on the grounds that a breach of the Code of Ethics appears to have been committed and a decision on the main issue may not be taken early enough".
Worawi was banned "from all football activities at national and international level for 90 days," the panel said.
His ban followed suspensions handed out to Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa boss Michel Platini last Thursday.
Worawi was a Fifa executive committee member for 18 years until May when he lost the seat.
The Asian Football Confederation voted in May to replace him as one of the AFC's representatives on the Fifa executive.
Earlier yesterday, Sakol Wannapong, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), said Worawi's plan to contest the FAT election could "have a damaging aftermath for the country".
"He now lacks the credentials to qualify for the post of the FAT president and therefore he should pull out of the race," said the SAT governor.
Sakol, however, added that the election should be held as planned.
The previous FAT election in 2013 was one of the most chaotic polls in the country's sporting history.
Supporters of challenger Virach Chanpanich claimed Worawi unlawfully changed the election rules and filed several lawsuits.
When the election did take place, Worawi, who has been FAT president since 2007, comfortably beat Virach.
Virach then brought the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which ruled in favour of Worawi.
In July, Worawi was found guilty by a Thai court of forgery ahead of the 2013 election. He received a suspended jail term and is appealing the sentence.
Worawi, who has been in football management for decades, is not new to controversy at home and abroad.
Worawi had in the past faced allegations including misusing Fifa development funds and asking England for the TV rights of a friendly between Thailand and England in exchange for his vote for the country to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. But he was cleared of any wrongdoings and had never been sanctioned.