Court issues warrant to arrest City owner

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Living in exile: former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra

The future of Thaksin Shinawatra at Manchester City was thrown into doubt today after Thailand's Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for him on corruption charges.

The Thai authorities want to extradite their former Prime Minister, who has been living in exile in Britain since he was ousted in a military coup last September.

Today's news could also place a question mark over Sven Goran Eriksson's stay at City as the former England boss only agreed to become their manager after Thaksin took over the club in the summer.

The Thai attorney general issued the warrant for Thaksin and his wife Pojamarn, in connection with corruption charges over a controversial land purchase deal in Bangkok.

The first hearing on the case started today and the defendants' lawyers asked for it to be indefinitely delayed on grounds that Thaksin and his wife felt it was unsafe for them to travel to Thailand.

However, the couple have now been ordered to appear in time for a new hearing on 25 September.

Although there is a long-standing extradition treaty between Britain and Thailand it is unclear whether this will force Thaksin and his wife to return to the Far East.

A spokesman for the Home Office said Thailand was designated an extradition partner under Part 2 of the Extradition Act 2003 and people can be extradited for specific offences.

However, the decision has to be supported by both the courts and the Secretary of State - and must be compatible with the Human Rights Act.

A spokesman for Thaksin claimed the move was politically-motivated and said: "No doubt this latest publicity stunt by the military government has nothing to do with the referendum on the constitution taking place later this week."

Thaksin, who denies any wrongdoing, later issued a brief statement in which he said: "I am aware of the decision in Thailand. I shall consult with my legal advisers and make an announcement in due course."

The Premier League insisted today's developments had not changed their position on Thaksin's status as a "fit and proper" person to own a club.

Earlier this month, the League responded to concerns raised by human rights campaigners over Thaksin's record as Thai Prime Minister.

In a statement, the League said: "We have very clear rules on the ownership of our clubs, which include the Fit and Proper Persons Test (FAPPT), which go beyond any requirement by UK company law.

"But what needs to be made clear is that in the first place, we accept the primacy of UK and European law.

"This determines who may, and who may not, legally reside in the UK, own and acquire assets and engage in commercial and other activities."

Since taking over City, Thaksin has funded a £40million spending spree, which Eriksson has used to buy eight players.

The team got off to a dream start on Saturday with a 2-0 win over West Ham with debutants Rolando Bianchi and Geovanni getting the goals.

 

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