League reserve judgement over Thaksin news
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has insisted he would invoke the ’fit and proper persons test’ if he had to.
The controversial rule regarding club owners has come under scrutiny over the last couple of days following the decision of Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra to avoid charges in Thailand by flying to England, where it is thought he will seek asylum.
Thaksin is facing a series of corruption and fraud charges, while his wife Pojaman is currently on bail after being handed a three-year prison sentence for fraud.
The Premier League have tended to rely on advice from the UK's Home Office and Foreign Office in such matters and clearly on such a sensitive issue, will do so again.
However, should Thaksin, or any other club owner for that matter, transgress the rules, Scudamore has warned he will not be scared to act.
“Of course, if we feel the rule has been breached, we will invoke it,” he said.
“We will not turn a blind eye to issues of a serious nature.
“It is quite a complex matter and we can’t just make a judgement on the spot but clearly we have a club owner who has not yet been found guilty of any offence.
“However, it is an evolving situation and we will look at it.
“As always, we will take advice from the Home Office and the Foreign Office. We are not experts in law in every country, so it is wise to speak with the people who are.”
Whether Thaksin remains in charge of Manchester City, or indeed whether he is allowed to remain in the UK given a warrant for his arrest has now been issued, his grandiose plans for the Eastlands outfit appear to lie in ruins.
