By Duncan Mackay
September 15 – Worawi Makudi is the latest member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee, to come under the microscope after he was asked explain allegations that money from development grants were spent building facilities on land that he owned.
FIFA said in a statement it had requested an explanation from Worawi, the controversial President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), and warned he could face a possible investigation from its Ethics Committee if there is any evidence to support claims against the official.
Allegations in Thailand have said the country’s national football centre was built with money from FIFA’s GOAL development programme on land owned by Worawi, who also owns land around the centre.
“We can confirm that FIFA is currently seeking clarification with Mr Makudi on the issue of the FIFA Goal projects in Thailand,” a FIFA statement said.
“FIFA has sent a letter to Mr Makudi and is following up on this matter.
“Should there be any evidence of any potential breach of the code of ethics, then the matter would be referred to the Ethics Committee in compliance with article 16 of the Code of Ethics.
“However, at the time of writing, no ethics proceedings or ethics investigation has been opened against Mr Makudi.
“We cannot speculate at this stage if any of the rules and regulations regarding the awarding of a Goal project have been breached.”
Worawi is closely linked to disgraced Asian Football Confederation chief Mohamed Bin Hammam, who was banned for life in July after being found guilty of bribery by a FIFA Ethics Committee.
Earlier this year Makudi was accused by Lord Triesman, the former chairman of England 2018 and the Football Association, that he had demanded television rights to a proposed Thailand-England friendly in exchange for supporting England’s bid to host the tournament.
Makudi denied the allegations and claimed that he would sue Triesman.
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