Manchester City deal could falter if Thais convict Thaksin

Just after former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed to have completed his takeover of English Manchester City, the Thai supreme court made the decision to hear corruption charges against him next month.

The charges are an aftereffect of a land deal, in which Thaksin and his wife bought a plot of land in Bangok for less than its value, saving GBP 20 million. Thaksin has denied all wrongdoing, but charges will be brought before the court on 14 August, and he and his wife, now in England, have been ordered to appear.

A conviction could result in as many as 13 years in prison, and Thaksin said he would return only is he could have a fair trial.

Despite the freezing of his assets by the Thai government, Thaksin was able to go ahead with the purchase of Manchester City.

Noppadol Pattama, the solicitor who represents Thaksin, said his client would not be at the opening arguments. However, his status in England could be a problem if he is convicted, and his deal to purchase Manchester City could falter with a conviction due to the Premier League's "fit and proper" test.

"Both of them will fight the case, but as of now the two defendants will not return to fight the case on the grounds that the judicial process is still being interfered with," he told the AFP news agency.

Thaksin is also facing charges of concealing assets, and implementing policies that favoured his family's business empire.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.