Crisis at football body

The Football Association of Thailand’s presidential election has turned into fiasco that will require intervention from the sport’s governing body Fifa to sort out affairs, after the FAT meeting yesterday was cancelled.

Incumbent FAT president Worawi Makudi, whose third two-year mandate expires today, de-cided to postpone the ballot, pending approval that the association’s new regulations comply with Fifa’s new statute. This matter had also been due to take place in the meeting.

However, Min Buri Court in Bangkok issued an injunction on Friday to prevent the vote, as petitioned by Thai club Pattaya. This meant that Worawi, who also sits on Fifa’s powerful executive committee, had to call off the meeting yesterday. 

One of the reasons for the court move was because Worawi is overseeing a change to the FAT rules. There are fears these may reduce the number of members eligible to vote for a new chief. The FAT president’s reign has been wracked with controversy and division – and many want to see him replaced. 

FAT lawyer Veera Khammee announced cancellation of the meeting over the public address system at the FAT headquarters in Nong Chok. This was greeted by loud dismay by observing fans.

Worawi then hosted a conference, saying he already reported what had happened to Fifa. But he was unable to say what the world governing body would do about the issue.

“We can’t hold the meeting today as we simply had to follow the court order. But, we informed Fifa about the incident and they understood.

“We now have to wait to know what Fifa would say on the issue. We should receive a letter from them by Monday. But, I have to say we need to do whatever they say. If it becomes a legal issue, we need to use the law to deal with it.

“I can’t say right now what will be the consequence from today’s meeting being cancelled. Whether we will get suspended or not? I can’t say. Just wait and see what Fifa will say,” the Thai FAT chief said. With the date for the poll yet to be set, it raised questions as to whether the FAT can hold the poll more than 30 days after the incumbent chief’s term expires, as stipulated by Thai sports law. But Veera insisted the association could do so legally. 

“In the case that an election cannot be held, the incumbent still can continue in the post as acting president. However, if there is an attempt to get SAT (the Sports Authority of Thailand) involved in this, we’ll deal with it within the law,” Veera said. 

Annop Singtothong, vice president of Thai Premier League club Chon Buri FC and a leader of Worawi’s rival group, was preparing to gather one-third of FAT members to force the organisation to hold the presidential ballot within 30 days.

“Personally, I believe the association needs to stage the vote as soon as possible. We’ll now gather one third of members [61 of 183] to ask the organisation to conduct the election within 30 days. If they don’t do so, we’ll request SAT to intervene as stipulated by sports law.” Annop insisted his move had nothing to do with the effort to get the association’s regulations to be in line with those of Fifa.

“All members are willing to comply with Fifa’s regulations. In fact, we had no objection with the new statute. But, we just would like to ask why there is an attempt to amend the rules on the final day of incumbent’s mandate. 

“I think if we get a new guy in a post he could do it as well. [But] we don’t believe Fifa would ban us immediately.”