Soccer chief must explain and clear up all allegations

Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), must clear his name after a fresh allegation involving FIFA financial grants and property that allegedly belongs to him.

Worawi, also a FIFA Executive Committee member, held a press conference over the weekend. But his statement was more of a threat to those who spread the allegation to the western press, rather than trying to explain to the public exactly what happened.

Of course, Worawi, widely known as the most influential figure in Thai football, might have responded to the allegation emotionally because of his frustration over the news. But he still needs to clarify his version of events. The allegation might be politically motivated, as Worawi has claimed. But still, he should cooperate with FIFA to prove the factual truth to the public.

The allegation is serious because it questions whether there has been any conflict of interest involved in the development of football players and facilities in Thailand. Secondly, it draws international attention because the matter involves FIFA handouts worth US$860,000.

The allegation emerged after FIFA instructed a committee to look into the use of money provided for its "GOAL" programme. It is alleged that Worawi spent the GOAL programme development grant to build facilities on land that he is said to own. Worawi claims he has not done anything wrong and dismissed the allegation as being politically motivated.

The Thai FA was awarded two GOAL project grants totalling $860,000 in 2004 and 2007. The grants were meant to help develop Thai footballers by providing them with support facilities.

Worawi has rebutted the allegation, saying that he had already donated the land to the FAT.

At the press conference over the weekend, he was quoted as saying that he had all the documents regarding the land ownership transfer, with the authorisation letter. He said that the money was not even sent to him but to the construction contractors. Worawi also claimed that the scandal was simply a smear campaign from people inside the FAT who opposed his candidacy to become the organisation's chief.

However, it remains unclear if Worawi had already submitted the documents regarding the ownership of the land to FIFA. He did not produce these documents for local reporters at the press conference either.

While Worawi has said that the allegation is meant to defame him and destroy his reputation, the FIFA probe is real. The world governing body for the sport is serious about investigating the allegation that he has breached the conflict of interest rules. The issue involves the principle of ethical practices. In fact, FIFA is already conducting a series of investigations into alleged conflicts of interest among its officials, in the wake of a series of scandals that have brought the governing body into the headlines and some severe criticism around the world.

This is not the first time that Worawi has been mired in scandal. Earlier this year, he denied another allegation that he sought broadcasting rights for a football match between Thailand and England in return for voting for England to host the 2014 World Cup. The match did not happen, and England lost its bid to host the tournament in 2014.

Worawi was also known to be close to former Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam, who was banned for life by FIFA's Ethics panel in July over the infamous cash-for-votes scandal. Worawi, 59, has been on the FIFA Executive Committee for 14 years.

Of course, Worawi has contributed to the successful efforts to elevate Thai football teams to international standards. And people do appreciate the work he has done for Thai football. However, the allegation this time is serious. Worawi should make every genuine effort to clear his name, not only for his own reputation but also for that of Thai football. He should not let this issue go unexplained. After all, the Thai football team commands a legion of fans. And they deserve to know what has happened off the pitch.