By Andrew Warshaw
September 18 – FIFA Executive Committee member Worawi Makudi has threatened legal action over reports that money from development grants were spent building football facilities on land that he personally owned in and around Bangkok.
Makudi, President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), told a press conference there was no truth in allegations that he had spent $860,000 (£548,000/€630,000) worth of FIFA handouts on property that belonged to him, a situation which, if true, would be a direct conflict of interest.
He said the information first came to light in an anonymous letter sent to the German press.
“There have been attempts to defame my reputation via website and anonymous letter which have been sent to the German press,” Makudi said.
“My legal advisory team is gathering information and we will take legal action on this.”
After the allegations were reprinted in the Thai media, Makudi responded by saying that the land had in fact been transferred to the FAT.
Interestingly, earlier this year he denied a separate allegation that he sought broadcasting rights for a possible Thailand versus England friendly in return for voting for England to host the 2014 World Cup.
That claim was made by former English FA chairman Lord Triesman and Makudi protested then, too, that he would be taking legal action.
The 59-year-old Makudi has been a member of FIFA’s Executive Committee for 14 years and is a close ally of Mohamed Bin Hammam, banned for life by FIFA’s Ethics panel in July over the infamous cash-for-votes scandal.
It is understood Makudi accompanied Bin Hammam to Trinidad in May when Caribbean officials were allegedly offered $40,000 (£25,000/€29,000) in cash to back bin Hammam against Sepp Blatter in the FIFA Presidential election before the 62-year-old Qatari pulled out.
According to press reports, Makudi could be the latest FIFA powerbroker to face investigation if it can be proved he broke any FIFA statutes.
Blatter is soon to announce eagerly awaited anti-corruption reforms after a string of suspensions among FIFA’s top brass.
Significantly, last week FIFA said in a statement it had requested an explanation from Makudi and warned he, too, could face an Ethics Committee probe if there is any evidence to support claims against him.
The allegations in Thailand said a football centre and other facilities were built with money from FIFA’s GOAL programme on land owned by Makudi.
The Goal project allocates millions of dollars each year to fund football in under-developed nations and until he was banned, the Committee responsible for the project was chaired Bin Hammam.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734844159labto1734844159ofdlr1734844159owedi1734844159sni@w1734844159ahsra1734844159w.wer1734844159dna1734844159
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