By Andrew Warshaw
June 25 – Thailand have avoided being thrown out of world football after a tiny fourth-tier club agreed to withdrew a lawsuit that threatened to stop the Thai FA (FAT) from holding controversial elections.
Pattaya won a court injunction preventing a change in the Thai federation’s statutes that would have reduced the number of voting clubs in FAT elections from 184 to 72.
As a result, FAT boss and FIFA executive committee member Worawi Makudi was forced to postpone the presidential election but FIFA, which outlaws clubs going to civil courts to resolve footballing disputes, warned of a possible suspension should Pattaya not drop the claim by Monday night.
“Pattaya has gracefully agreed to abide by the FIFA directive and has withdrawn the case from the court,” Makudi said in a statement. “The matter is hereby resolved.”
Makudi, well beaten in his quest last month to take over as President of the Asian Football Confederation, wanted to push through the new reforms before holding the election, just before his two-year term ended on June 16. But critics said slashing the number of voting members was a deliberate ploy to retain the presidency.
What happens now is not entirely clear though it would appear that Makudi is still technically in charge. Under Thai sports law a sports association must hold elections not more than 30 days after a previous term has expired. “In the event that an election is not held, the incumbent will still be able to continue in his post as an acting president,” FAT lawyer Veera Khamnee was quoted as saying.
However opponents argued this was not the case. Former national team manager Virach Charnpanich, one of Makudi’s rivals, told the Bangkok Post: “The term of Worawi and his executive board has completely ended. They longer have authority to run the FAT.”
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