Surat Thani, Mukdaharn clubs file lawsuits to 'protect their rights'

Surat Thani, Mukdaharn clubs file lawsuits to 'protect their rights'

Division Two teams Surat Thani and Mukdaharn Lumkong have filed 100-million-baht lawsuits with the Administrative Court to challenge the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee's decision to bar them from voting at a recent election.

The lawsuits refer to a ruling by the committee chaired by Adm Surawut Maharom which didn't allow those claiming to be the rightful representatives of the two clubs to cast votes at a ballot to select 30 Division Two representatives on Jan 22.

The elected 30 regional league representatives will in turn be voting to elect a Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president on Feb 11.

Narinpong Jinapak.

FAT lawyer Narinpong Jinapak yesterday announced at a press conference that lawsuits have been filed because Mrs Anong Lorjai of Surat Thani and Gen Jeerasak Butnien of Mukdaharn Lumkong were not allowed to vote and elect the 30 regional representatives on Jan 22.

Narinpong said the clubs had taken the course and filed the lawsuits to "protect their rights".

The FAT lawyer added: "The normalisation committee has changed the electoral code and claimed that it has been approved by Fifa.

"This is not possible because Fifa has no policy to interfere in the internal affairs of a member association.

"Moreover, any changes to the FAT rules and regulations have to be endorsed by 75 per cent of the 72 voting members before these can be implemented."

Narinpong also said that in case Fifa decided to impose further sanctions on Thailand and ban it from all football-related activities, "it will be a result of actions taken by the normalisation committee.

"I request Adm Surawut Maharom to stop using the threat of Fifa banning Thailand to serve the interests of his committee," he said.

"He should stop blaming those who are fighting for their rights."

The election to pick the regional voters staged by the Surawut-led normalisation panel saw only two of the clubs originally lined up to cast ballot at the Feb 11 FAT presidential polls retain their voting rights.

Division Two (third tier) comprises six regional leagues, with each having the right to cast five votes at the FAT election.

The total number of voters at the FAT election will be 72, including 18 each from the Thai Premier League and League One, and six from minor competitions.

Thavatchai Sajakul, Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang, Charnwit Phalajivin, Pinit Sasinin, Natthapol Teepsuwan and Chaisap Tharat Rittem are the six candidates in the race to replace Worawi Makudi, who is suspended by Fifa, as Thai football chief.

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