Thaksin Completes Man City Buyout

[John K]

There is one little point here. Thailand has spent months painstakingly uncovering Thaksin’s dirty money and wrong doings. Then in the period of about 2 or 3 weeks, the sellers do their own research and declare the money clean. Either Thailand is taking entirely too long, or the seller does not know Thaksin very well and is happy to assume the money is clean just to make the sale. I would put my money on the later.

From what I have seen there are layers upon layers of deception that must be sorted through before the real deal is found. I think in a month or two the sellers will have discovered they are dancing with the devil. From there I have no clue what will happen as this now goes on the international stage.

[younghusband]

There is one little point here. Thailand has spent months painstakingly uncovering Thaksin’s dirty money and wrong doings. Then in the period of about 2 or 3 weeks, the sellers do their own research and declare the money clean. Either Thailand is taking entirely too long, or the seller does not know Thaksin very well and is happy to assume the money is clean just to make the sale. I would put my money on the later.

From what I have seen there are layers upon layers of deception that must be sorted through before the real deal is found. I think in a month or two the sellers will have discovered they are dancing with the devil. From there I have no clue what will happen as this now goes on the international stage.

I supose it might be a slight advantage at the UK end not to have to worry whether any investigation has no risk of exploding in one's face incriminating military. big business. other politicians etc.That's why Thailand has settled on a marginal example of irregular land purchase which fingers crossed won't end up splashing the shit everywhere.

Sorry to hear you won't be commenting on the international dimension.We have all learnt so much from your well thought out and thoroughly researched posts.

[Prakanong]

Two things

First is Thaksin has not really operated in a free for all open market against sharp lawyers, agents and other businessmen who have made money on a wordl stage. He has been a bit protected in Thailand and his bits outside Thailand have a bit of the Chinese Guanxi about them

He might just sink - will be interesting to see how he fares though.

Second - I do not think anyone mentioned the massive super-casino that was to be built all around the Man City ground - that would have been an attraction for him biz wise

Well Gordon Brown true to his Scottish Presbetyrian roots has just but the mockers on that multi-billion GBP investment.

Interesting post.My gut instinct (though I couldn't care less about English soccer) is that his Man City initiative will end in tears for him and the likely demise of the Casino initiative -which I didn't know about - may be the clincher.

Nevertheless although Thaksin got his start by flogging main frames to a captive audience, the police department - he actually is a very savvy businessman in some ways and way ahead of the crowd given the poor quality of business leaders in Thailand.Generally I would agree that the Sino-Thai business elite is incapable of operating successfully in a competitive world, and prefers the comfort of a quasi monopolistic domestic Thailand market to competing internationally.This partly explains why they joined up with feudal and old power interests under Prem to block Thaksin's globalization efforts, though these were patchy and self serving.

Yeah Thaksin was probably the best of the Thai players at a global level. Will be interesting to see how he does though. He always looks like a rabbit in the headlights though when interviewed by British reporters as he is obviously not used to even the mild questions put him - Paxman doing him would have been interesting.

I agree about the old power too - they would rathr pull up the drawbridge, take the cream of a smaller pie and let the masses have "Suffiiency" - problem is the world does not work like that now with globalisation and a lot of their competative advantage is slipping and they have to compete against new boys on the block like Vietnam.

[thedude]

I agree about the old power too - they would rathr pull up the drawbridge, take the cream of a smaller pie and let the masses have "Suffiiency" - problem is the world does not work like that now with globalisation and a lot of their competative advantage is slipping and they have to compete against new boys on the block like Vietnam.

hear hear, quote of the day.

with thaksin gone, i'm kind of pinning my hopes on abhisit, who is clearly pro-business and reform minded. several analysts are however saying that even though the Dems are a shoo in, there is no guarantee he'll get the leadership. as was seen before in thai history, during times of military held power, some army guy would find a way to sneak into the top job on various pretenses, kind of like when Thanin snuck in in 1976 and Suchinda in 1992.

[Mobi]

with thaksin gone, i'm kind of pinning my hopes on abhisit, who is clearly pro-business and reform minded.

Yes, don't hold your breath. I'll bet money that we never see the good Mr. Abhisit as our PM. It'll never happen; Thailand is descending into the dark ages, and the military will be controlling the country, one way or another, for many years to come.

If you doubt me, read yesterdays' Bangkok Post commentary by one of their most informed journalists:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/120707_News/12Jul2007_news17.php

[Prakanong]

I agree about the old power too - they would rathr pull up the drawbridge, take the cream of a smaller pie and let the masses have "Suffiiency" - problem is the world does not work like that now with globalisation and a lot of their competative advantage is slipping and they have to compete against new boys on the block like Vietnam.

hear hear, quote of the day.

with thaksin gone, i'm kind of pinning my hopes on abhisit, who is clearly pro-business and reform minded. several analysts are however saying that even though the Dems are a shoo in, there is no guarantee he'll get the leadership. as was seen before in thai history, during times of military held power, some army guy would find a way to sneak into the top job on various pretenses, kind of like when Thanin snuck in in 1976 and Suchinda in 1992.

Interesting times ahead and we do know the inevitable "Watershed" is getting closer and closer and how the country comes through that is still very much an unknown quantity.

[Prakanong]

with thaksin gone, i'm kind of pinning my hopes on abhisit, who is clearly pro-business and reform minded.

Yes, don't hold your breath. I'll bet money that we never see the good Mr. Abhisit as our PM. It'll never happen; Thailand is descending into the dark ages, and the military will be controlling the country, one way or another, for many years to come.

If you doubt me, read yesterdays' Bangkok Post commentary by one of their most informed journalists:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/120707_News/12Jul2007_news17.php

I hope you are wrong but I fear you are not!

[sriracha john]

Returning to the thread topic...

It won't be easy for Sven

One may wonder why Sven-Goran Eriksson has taken up the managerial job at Manchester City, a club one might think is too small for a coach of his charisma. For footballing reasons, the former England coach may believe that City have a bright future under new owner Thaksin Shinawatra. For financial reasons, he will get a handsome salary. The Swede is believed to receive in the region of 3 million a year during his three-year contract. He is one of the richest coaches in the world as he had been receiving around 5 million a year from the English FA as compensation for terminating his contract after the 2006 World Cup. According to Eriksson himself, "this is an exciting challenge. I want to build a team that our fantastic fans can be proud of." It will surely be a challenge to bring success to City who have not won anything for some three decades.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Sports/13Jul2007_sport29.php

[chuchok]

with thaksin gone, i'm kind of pinning my hopes on abhisit, who is clearly pro-business and reform minded.

Yes, don't hold your breath. I'll bet money that we never see the good Mr. Abhisit as our PM. It'll never happen; Thailand is descending into the dark ages, and the military will be controlling the country, one way or another, for many years to come.

If you doubt me, read yesterdays' Bangkok Post commentary by one of their most informed journalists:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/120707_News/12Jul2007_news17.php

you should start a thread about this article Mobi.

[Plus]

Yeah Thaksin was probably the best of the Thai players at a global level.

He's done absolutely nothing internationally. Only flogging his white elephant satellite, Ipstar, the biggest in the world, and he did it from the position of a Prime Minister of course, not as a businessman looking for customers.

I forgot to mention Ipstar in a previous post - one of his most disastrous business decisions - broadband Internet satellites are an expensive, slow, and obsolete techonology, no match for fiberoptics, or ADSL, and even mobile phones get faster internet connections.

Back to football.

One the day Sven was annonced as a new manager BBC run short interviews with football professionals from Sweden, Portugal, and Italy - countries where Sven build his reputation. They generally praised him but in the end they all said he's well past "sell by" date.

He's got a lot to prove with this Man City job. If there are no quick results his career in Europe is finished.

[Siripon]

Could someone publish the words to'My Way', we could adjust them and send them to Man City's opponents' fans to rile Frank sitting in the director's box.

Something along the lines of 'Mistakes, I've made a few, of that I'm certain, tax free Temasek was one....

[Prakanong]

Could someone publish the words to'My Way', we could adjust them and send them to Man City's opponents' fans to rile Frank sitting in the director's box.

Something along the lines of 'Mistakes, I've made a few, of that I'm certain, tax free Temasek was one....

The opposing fans could have some great fun baiting Thaksin.

Wonder how he will react?

[John K]

I don’t think Thaksin has realized yet just how open he has left himself with this purchase. Once people start on him he will have to sit and take it. However we should also watch for big numbers from the Forestry department taking holiday in the UK.

[sriracha john]

Could someone publish the words to'My Way', we could adjust them and send them to Man City's opponents' fans to rile Frank sitting in the director's box.

Something along the lines of 'Mistakes, I've made a few, of that I'm certain, tax free Temasek was one....

They could pass for brothers......

and all it takes is simply 1 h, 1 w, and 1 a ... to make it

Frank Shinawatra › My Way

And now, the end is near;

And so I face the final curtain.

My friend, I'll say it clear,

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life thats full.

I've traveled each and every highway;

And more, much more than this,

I did it my way.

Regrets, I've had a few;

But then again, too few to mention.

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;

Each careful step along the byway,

But more, much more than this,

I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew.

But through it all, when there was doubt,

I ate it up and spit it out.

I faced it all and I stood tall;

And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried.

I've had my fill; my share of losing.

And now, as tears subside,

I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;

And may I say - not in a shy way,

No, oh no not me,

I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught.

To say the things he truly feels;

And not the words of one who kneels.

The record shows I took the blows -

And did it my way!

================================

The problem for Thaksin with the song's lyrics is its frequent use of "contractions," which Dr. Thaksin is busy looking up:

Because he wants to do his best in anticipation of a grand duet with Mai at the premier premier grand opening....

[churchill]

is this why sven and beckham have reportatly bought ? properties in koh samui ? and others in Hua Hin ?

[sriracha john]

Bianchi becomes Sven's first City signing

Sven-Goran Eriksson made his first signing as manager of Manchester City on Friday when Reggina striker Rolando Bianchi joined the former England coach at Eastlands.

The Italian has moved for an undisclosed fee which the Serie A club had previously claimed to be 8.8 million pounds (18 million dollars). Bianchi, 24, was the fourth highest scorer in Serie A last season with 18 goals, helping to keep Reggina in the top flight. "He scored nearly 20 goals in Serie A last season, which is a lot in a difficult league," Eriksson, who in 2000 guided Lazio to the Italian League and Cup double, told City's official website.

"He is young and I think he is a very important signing because he should have a great future. "If you can score so many goals in Italy and you are not with one of the top clubs, you must be talented. It is a good record and let's hope he continues with it."

Former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is now City's majority shareholder. However, the completion of his 162.6 million dollar takeover of the club remains uncertain as he faces corruption charges in his homeland.

- AFP

[sriracha john]

Man City purchase just 'Mr Frank' doing it his way

It's no coincidence that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is called "Mr Frank" by his Western friends because he's always had "his own way" of doing things

At least, Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin's adviser, hinted that Thaksin was not called Frank for nothing by humming the song "My Way", during a seminar on Thursday on "Maew City: Real or a Decoy?" *reminds me of chanchao's ridiculous thread*

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=126801&hl=

Thaksin has a unique reason for taking over Manchester City football club. Malcolm Glazer took over Manchester United to expand his sports empire, while Roman Abramovich, once an obscure Russian businessman, bought Chelsea because of his passion for football. But Thaksin does things his own way.

First, the City takeover does not seem to make good business sense for him. Thaksin's flagship businesses were not in the sports field and he has not been known to be a loyal sports fan. He once even proudly showed a Manchester United jersey with his name on it before shifting to Real Madrid. Thaksin also floated the possibility of starting a lottery so that he could acquire Liverpool when he was still prime minister.

Yet, just when everyone thought that Thaksin would bow out after the Assets Examination Committee decided to freeze his assets, he struck back with a vengeance by placing a bid worth more than Bt5.5 billion to buy City in May. From that moment on, Thaksin became Superman in the eyes of some of his followers.

The possibility of making a profit from a mediocre football club in one season is a long shot, but that did not seem to hinder Thaksin from wanting to become the first Thai to own a club in the Premier League.

City may not yet have a full squad but Thaksin knows that he is already chasing the ball down to the penalty box. Having attained demigod status by owning a football club, Thaksin refuses to go quietly.

Who needs a full cabinet to attend to if you can entertain the British elite in City's lavish private boxes? Thaksin, as the former prime minister of Thailand, may have gone unnoticed among the crowds of the Harrods shoppers. But as City's new owner he has a chance to be in the same league as politicians, media tycoons and top businessmen.

Running an English football club is not Thaksin's area of expertise. However, there are certain similarities to his old businesses that Thaksin may find helpful. First of all, it is all about money. The league is monopolised by the richest clubs: Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Manchester City's chances of climbing up the premier league order from 14th place, where it finished last year, do not look good. City's new manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, even confessed that he would need at least 10 new signings this season; four strikers, two wide players, a central midfielder, a goalkeeper and two defenders. In short, virtually the entire squad is useless.

But those factors didn't seem to scare away Thaksin, who is close to taking over 75 per cent of City shares soon.

In fact, Thaksin has other big plans for the club. He might still have no idea who else he is going to sign, but he knows which singers he will bring to England during an event on August 14 for Manchester City's season opener. Noppadon said Thaksin plans to bring at least 10 Thai entertainers, including Mai Charoenpura , to perform during the event.

* AKA Thaksin's mia noi... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1416342 *

Noppadon didn't rule out the possibility of asking City football stars to endorse made-in-Thailand products, the same way Thaksin planned to put Michael Owen's image on Otop products when he was considering taking over Liverpool.

Thaksin's Liverpool deal fell through, but it still made more business sense than his Manchester City takeover thanks to the brand loyalty of the team and its international fan base. Manchester City meanwhile has been running at a loss for seven consecutive years. The team last won a championship roughly three decades ago.

Manchester City is the arch-rival of football juggernaut Manchester United. Despite its much smaller size, City has commanded more loyalty from locals than United. The Gallagher brothers of the rock band Oasis are among the club's followers. When Manchester City was demoted to the third-tier football league a decade ago, the team still attracted around 20,000 fans every week. However, it is not clear if English football fans are the audience that Thaksin wants to connect with.

Thaksin will still be visible in Thailand, as he will be seen regularly on ESPN and sports channels. Although some British MPs have started to question his qualifications to own City, Thaksin has apparently gained the sympathy that he needs from British fans, who could not care less about corruption allegations against him in Thailand. Owning the club will give Thaksin a ticket to superstardom, despite how far away he is.

The sweetest revenge of all would be the possibility of City beating Abhisit Vejjajiva's favourite Newcastle United again in the final to reprise the greatest era in Manchester City's history, when the club beat Newcastle in the final of the League Cup in 1976.

- Jeerawat Na Thalang, Opinion Section, The Nation

[sriracha john]

the money trail....

excerpt from ESPN:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...500&cc=4716

Not even the Thai government's decision to freeze an additional £8million-worth of new owner Thaksin Shinawatra's assets, taking the overall total to a staggering £1.23billion, has cast a shadow over City.

Sources close to Thaksin insist the latest move from the Bangkok authorities will have no impact on his involvement with the Blues, with money for the takeover safely lodged in London, where it has been cleared by the financial authorities.

- ESPN

[ratcatcher]

I know this is an old topic but................... I think Stephen Cleary has a good one here.

From The Nation

The Thaksin-era comes to Man City

Since Thaksin Shinawatra has suddenly realised that he is not exactly the most popular figure in the history of the Manchester City Football Club, he has secretly devised a set of populist policies that are sure to boost him to super-stardom in the North of England.

Published on July 21, 2007

Here below, an exclusive for The Nation gathered from a completely unreliable source, is a list of these proposals:

The ฃ30 beer scheme

Thaksin, to truly prove how much of an understanding he has for Man City supporters, has planned his very own "ฃ30 Beer Scheme". ฃ30-Beer vouchers will be handed out to all Man City supporters at Thaksin-designated pubs each time the team puts in a completely lousy performance and gets thrashed. After getting blasted it is hoped that supporters will wake up with such a hangover the next morning that they will forget all about the dismal defeat.

Morale boosters

Should Man City for some bizarre reason go on a three-match losing streak, supporters will be admitted to the next game free of charge. There will even be lucky draws at the end of each game, with a few dozen lucky punters winning a seven-day paid holiday to London, staying at one of Thaksin's very own fully furnished luxury apartments. Not one to forget the kids, Thaksin has advised that life-size inflatable dolls of himself be given to all children of club supporters. Furthermore a brand new video-game, "Thaksin's Travels", will be handed out. Kids will be enthralled by the game's objective - navigating through the world's capitals with the hassle of carrying 223 large suitcases.

Away travels

As knowledgeable as Thaksin is, it didn't take him long to find out about the extortionate cost of public transport in England, which might keep Man City supporters from turning out in force at away games. Coming to the rescue, he plans to offer Man City supporters free rides on his own private fleet of super VIP buses. Loyal fans on board will again be treated to crates of beer while enjoying videos of Thaksin's splendid on-stage performances back in his home country.

The Thaksin "Real life in Man City" reality show

In a truly amazing plan, unheard of before in the history of football, Thaksin plans to air his very own three-day TV reality show. Set in a working-class district of Manchester, the show will feature 24-hour coverage of Thaksin living like a local.

Man City faithful will be encouraged to come to visit him directly to voice their opinions on club strategy and discuss its future with the new owner. To prove how much of a truly local lad he really is, Thaksin won't bother taking a bath, will feast on greasy fried eggs, chips and baked beans and will start every conversation with a complaint about the darned weather.

Helping the poor

Everyone knows just how much Thaksin cares for the poor, and he will soon be proving his devotion to the underprivileged in Manchester too. After visiting all of Manchester's slummy areas and listening to the grievances voiced by old-age pensioners, single mothers and drunkards, he has promised to dole out handsome cash sums from his very own wallet. For the homeless and those in financially dire straits, Thaksin has further promised to build several "super cheap" housing estates with gaffs available for rent at just ฃ5 a month!

Exclusive Thai visa service

Proven Man City faithful will be eligible for exclusive 90-day on-arrival visas to Thailand without having to show any daft ticket out of the country. Should any fan wish to stay in the country longer than that, he will, on only having to prove membership to a Man City fan club, be able to apply for a one-year 'Non Immigrant T' visa. There will even be a special "Man City supporters" immigration booth set up at airports so that fans will be able to walk straight through, avoiding the hassle of having to queue up for more than an hour. Thaksin-supporting airport taxi-drivers will be on hand to give discounted rides into town.

Heavenly influence

Thaksin has proven on various occasions his belief in heavenly goings on, so he will soon be hiring a couple of Thailand's most revered fortune-tellers to advise him on tactical strategies. Even though a few local fans may be mystified at such tactics, Thaksin is looking to bring in 99 monks to give their blessing before the start of each game and sprinkle holy water on the opponents' goal. It has not, as yet, been confirmed, but the chances are players will be asked to adorn a new set of blessed Jatukam-Thaksin amulets while on the field.

Selling Man City to the world

A natural-born businessman of the highest calibre, Thaksin will, unlike most naive British club-owners, be turning Man City into one of the world's most watched and supported teams. To gain immense popularity at the global level, Thaksin has vowed to buy the services of local football stars from the likes of China, India, Indonesia and even Afghanistan. Whether they turn out to be completely hopeless does not matter, but huge satellite "pay-to-view" deals do.

Fair play

Thaksin, being the renowned advocate of fair play that he is, has vowed to crack down on any inept half-blind referees who make pathetic last-minute penalty decisions in order to impede the progress of Man City. To promote Thaksin as the man with the cleanest hands in the world of sport, his lobbying friends in the US will even have America's very own David Beckham applauding Thaksin over there, as a revolutionary in the area of anti-corruption in sports.

I, for one, wish Thaksin the very best of luck.

Stephen Cleary

The Nation

SUPHAN BURI

Stephen Cleary is the co-founder of www.thai-blogs.com.

[Mid]

Ousted PM delists UK soccer club

Print July 23, 2007

THAILAND'S ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has gained effective control of Manchester City football club and will delist it from the stock exchange, his lawyer said.

Thaksin will also nominate two Thai footballers to be recruited by the club, said Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin's de facto spokesman in Thailand.

''Thaksin has gained control with a 75 percent stake in Man City. The next stage is to delist the club from the stock market to become a completely private company,'' Noppadon told reporters.

Two of Thaksin's children -- Panthongtae and Pinthongta -- will be appointed as directors of Manchester City, he added.

theaustralian.news.com.au

[helicoptor]

I dont mind Thai players in a City shirt providing they are good enough, there were a couple during the recent Asia Cup that are worthy of training with the squad, it's his club now so why not?

[sriracha john]

Deposed Thai leader to delist Man City football club

Thailand’s deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, new owner of the Manchester City football club, will delist it from the London Plus exchange, his lawyer said on Monday.

Thaksin has mounted a $162 million takeover of the club after fleeing to London when a military coup overthrew his government last September.

He is being investigated by the new rulers for corruption and at least $25 million related to the football deal has been frozen. Another $1.5 billion in Thaksin’s assets have also been blocked by Thai anti-graft authorities.

The seizure would not affect the deal, spokesman Noppadon Pattama said in Bangkok. He called the purchase ‘clean and legal’.

Two of the deposed leader’s children are to join the club’s board as directors, he added. 'Thaksin has gained control with a 75% stake in Man City,’ Noppadon said. ‘The next stage is to de-list the club from the stock market to become a completely private company.’

Two Thai players are to be nominated to the club and Thaksin has appointed former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson as the club’s chief.

Other as yet unnamed players are to be recruited from Brazil, Sweden and Italy to help the team which finished 14th of 20 last season in the Premiership.

- CityWire

==========================================================

Former Thai PM Shinawatra to delist Man City - lawyer

BANGKOK - Thailand's ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has gained effective control of Manchester City football club and will delist it from the stock exchange, his lawyer said Monday.

Thaksin will also nominate two Thai footballers to be recruited by the club, said Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin's de facto spokesman in Thailand.

'Thaksin has gained control with a 75 percent stake in Man City. The next stage is to delist the club from the stock market to become a completely private company,' Noppadon told reporters.

Two of Thaksin's children -- Panthongtae and Pinthongta -- will be appointed as directors of Manchester City, he added.

The deposed premier last month launched the 162.6 million US dollar takeover bid for Manchester City and has appointed former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as the club's boss.

'Man City is going to recruit new players from Brazil, Sweden and Italy. Two Thai players will also be included in the nomination,' said Noppadon. He declined to name any of the players.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC), appointed by the military leaders who ousted Thaksin in a coup last September, has frozen 25 million dollars in accounts belonging to the Pramaisuri Property Company, linked to the Man City deal.

Pramaisuri was reported by British newspapers as holding a key stake in UK Sports Investments (UKSIL), the British-based company Thaksin set up to buy Manchester City.

But Noppadon said the asset freeze by Thai graft investigators will not affect his purchase which was 'clean and legal.'

The AEC last month blocked more than 1.5 billion dollars of Thaksin's assets as part of ongoing anti-corruption investigations into the ousted leader, who has lived in exile in London since the coup.

- AFP

[Tony Clifton]

What if the Thai footballers refuse? Ohh the face...

Great one ratcatcher.

[Plus]

So they'll put Thai players in the lineup for every game that is broadcast on TV in Thailand - will it ever work for the team? Who cares.

So far Ericsson hasn't signed anyone spectacular - just young, upcoming players from abroad that might turn out better than average imported no names. The average is not very high - EPL is full of failures like that. Maybe be Sven will do better, maybe in three years he'll build a solid team but I don't see English Sevilla in the making yet.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin himself is going to be one of the 2 Thai players. The other will be his son.... just as soon as he cleans his system out long enough to pass a urine drug screen.

[sriracha john]

excerpts from:

The taking of England

Is foreign ownership really about bettering the game?

It began with Roman Abramovich and his purchase of Chelsea in 2003.

Now, most controversially, Manchester City has been sold to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, a man whose regime was condemned by Amnesty International for human right abuses, a man who is now wanted in his homeland on corruption charges.

English soccer is for sale -- and no questions are being asked. Billionaire speculators are hovering above Premier League clubs, lured by the prospect of cashing in on bumper TV rights deals and the growing global popularity of the English Premier League.

The silent reaction of the English Football Association would be laughable -- were it not so shameful. The so-called "guardians" of the English game have sat back and said nothing as club after club has fallen into the hands of foreign speculators.

Rich men have always been drawn to football. Nothing boosts the ego more than watching down from the directors box at a team adored by its supporters. Nothing brings instant respect and credibility more than owning a football team. Just ask former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who turned his ownership of Milan into a successful political movement, even naming his party, Forza Italia, after a fans' slogan.

The takeovers of Chelsea and Man City by Abramovich and Thaksin, respectively, have been motivated, in part, by a desire to appease negative political opinions back home.

However, the overriding motivation of this new wave of foreign takeovers has been simple: to make money. The global nature of soccer's new economy means there are rich pickings for those businessmen who can gain access to this lucrative market.

Abramovich reportedly looked at buying Real Madrid or Barcelona before settling on Chelsea four years ago. But because both clubs are owned by their members, he was forced to turn his attentions to England, where no such restrictions apply. Similarly, in Germany, Bundesliga clubs must be 51 percent owned by their members.

Not so in England, where anybody can buy a Premier League club. With the Thai court proceedings against Thaksin, nobody in England has stopped to question where his money came from, or what his motivation for buying Man City is. Thaksin has money, lots of it, and therefore must be "a good thing." Anybody who does stop to question these takeovers is labeled a xenophobe.

Yet, it is imperative that we question these deals. Soccer holds a special place in the English psyche. The bond between a supporter and his team is what makes soccer a unique sport. A takeover by a foreign speculator with no previous connection with a club weakens that bond. Once that bond breaks, soccer becomes like any other sport. Now there is no difference between soccer and, for example, Formula One motor racing, an exciting spectacle, but nothing more than a rich man's toy.

The foreign takeovers of Premier League clubs are being hailed by some as proof of the global appeal of English soccer. Yet they are being conducted at the expense of the relationships between the clubs and their local fans.

Premier League clubs are being turned into investment vehicles which will make very rich men even richer. The shameful silence of the English soccer authorities on the matter is deafening.

- Sports Illustrated

[A_Traveller]

From BBC website:-

A leading human rights group has written to the Premier League to challenge Thaksin Shinawatra's right to own Manchester City.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) claims Thaksin is "a human rights abuser of the worst kind" and should not have passed the league's 'fit and proper person' test.

Thaksin, the Thai prime minister from 2001 to 2006, denies the allegations.

Regards

Link :- Fit & Proper

[hammered]

From BBC website:-

A leading human rights group has written to the Premier League to challenge Thaksin Shinawatra's right to own Manchester City.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) claims Thaksin is "a human rights abuser of the worst kind" and should not have passed the league's 'fit and proper person' test.

Thaksin, the Thai prime minister from 2001 to 2006, denies the allegations.

Regards

Link :- Fit & Proper

Not long a ago few people in Britain would have known his name and even fewer would have heard of the drug war killings. Now both are widely known. Amazing that in the search to constantly stay in the limelight some only achieve infamy rather than fame.

[womble]

From BBC website:-

A leading human rights group has written to the Premier League to challenge Thaksin Shinawatra's right to own Manchester City.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) claims Thaksin is "a human rights abuser of the worst kind" and should not have passed the league's 'fit and proper person' test.

Thaksin, the Thai prime minister from 2001 to 2006, denies the allegations.

Regards

Link :- Fit & Proper

This is becoming big news back home.

I think this is gonna snowball.

[Ricardo]

Fans might wonder exactly what relevant experience or skills DL's children might bring to the Board, of 'their' beloved club, apart from supporting Frank in singing 'I Did It My Way' ?

Also how taking the club private will serve the club or team's needs - rather than the owner's own financial requirements ? No doubt we'll be reading all about it - in 'Private Eye' - shortly.

Does all this mean that DL is no longer a lifetime-supporter of Liverpool, or Everton, or whoever ?

I think the fans deserve to be told !