Newin accuses Worawi-backers of playing Thaksin card
Play
Buriram United president Newin Chidchob has condemned efforts to drag politics in to influence the Football Association of Thailand's impending presidential election.
The overdue election to find a new head of Thai football is set to take place next Thursday after a long delay caused by a dispute over the association’s efforts to get its regulations in line with Fifa’s new statues.
The poll appears to be a two-horse race between incumbent Worawi Makudi, bidding for his fourth consecutive term in office, and Virach Chanpanich, the man credited for Thailand’s success in the ’90s, whom Newin is backing for the FA’s top job.
However, the election has been overshadowed by reports that people are trying to paint it as a duel between former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Newin in order to influence the voting.
“Right now, there are people trying to link politics, political parties, status and power to the FA election. There is also an attempt to use media to paint the election as a direct battle between Thaksin and me,” Newin, a vocal critic of Worawi vocal, said in a statement on his club’s website, BuriramUnited.co.th.
“It’s a dirty tactic to get politics involved. It puts members of clubs eligible to vote under pressure and leads to misunderstandings that could cause severe damage to Thai football.
“Reliable sources have told me that politicians close to Worawi are seeking support for him. That has led to rumours that Thaksin is involved in the election, which is what [Worawi’s backers] want administrators of the clubs to believe.”
Newin insisted his role in the election was solely based on his desire to see a change of leadership in Thai football following years of underachievement during Worawi’s tenure.
“Two years ago, as the Buriram United president, I supported Worawi for his FA post but he didn’t make good on policy pledges. That resulted in Thai football not progressing as well as it should have.
“So, I have made it clear that this time I have withdrawn my support for Worawi. I’m ready to back anyone but him for the post.
“Whatever the outcome, the vote will not have any political impact on me because I don’t have plans to return to politics or any political position. I don’t want to get involved with the FA management either.
“My target in life at the moment is to build Buriram United as the best club in the country and Asia, as well as supporting the national team to become one of the continent’s leading countries again.”
