By Andrew Warshaw
October 15 – The Thai FA has given in to pressure and postponed this weekend’s presidential election after present incumbent Worawi Makudi was suspended by FIFA’s ethics committee.
Makudi, a former FIFA executive committee member for 18 years, had been widely tipped to retain his highly contentious position and had even hinted he would defy the 90-day ban slapped on him for an alleged breach of ethics rules in what would have been a flagrant violation.
Instead of giving Makudi’s rivals a chance to take over, the Thai FA (FAT) has ordered to “postpone the election of a chairman, deputy chairman and members, which was due to take place on October 17”, pending further investigation by FIFA, FAT lawyer Narinpong Jinapak said in a statement.
The decision apparently followed meetings with a FIFA delegation who happened to be in Thailand on a pre-planned visit.
Makudi has faced multiple allegations of wrongdoing in recent years and in July was given a suspended 16-month jail term after being found to have falsified documents during the 2013 ballot that saw him re-elected the last time – a ruling he denies and is appealing against.
No new date has been given for the new election but if it is delayed for more than three months, Makudi may be able to buy time and run again if he clears his name.
Twenty-four hours earlier he appeared firmly intent on standing despite the FIFA ban, arguing – erroneously – that UEFA boss Michel Platini, also suspended for 90 days, “continues to do his business as usual.”
“We must understand that this FIFA order is not a final ruling,” Makudi said. “So I will assign my legal team to send a petition to FIFA immediately. Under Thai law, this case is not over yet. I’m still entitled to do business with regard to internal affairs.”
Calling off the election will not go down well with Makudi’s challengers who have lost a golden opportunity to end his tenure even though in the long term his career as one of world football’s most controversial powerbrokers may be over anyway.
Sakol Wannapong, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said just before the postponement that the ballot should have gone ahead as planned. “The FAT should stage the election as scheduled,” he said.
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