Premier League defends Thaksin takeover

The controversial former Thailand Prime Minister currently has almost £1billion in assets frozen by the military government which ousted him from his homeland last October and is also facing a succession of corruption charges relating to his five years in power.

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Currently living in exile in London, Shinawatra has vowed to clear his name but is adamant he will not return to Thailand until free and democratic elections are held at the end of the year.

While the 58-year-old continues to enjoy plenty of support in Thailand, his record as Prime Minister has been questioned by respected human rights campaigners Amnesty International and a BBC Radio Five Live investigation, due to be broadcast this evening, has claimed another organisation, Human Rights Watch, have written to the Premier League questioning whether Thaksin is a 'fit and proper person' to own a top-flight club.

The Premier League have confirmed receipt of the letter, which details a number of alleged human rights violations.

But privately, they question the motivation behind the actual charges being laid against Thaksin in Thailand and, in a reply to Human Rights Watch, pointed out that while he remained free under UK law to own a company, it was difficult to see how the organisation could justify barring his buy-out of the Eastlands club.

"It is important to realise that the Premier League takes its responsibilities surrounding the governance of its clubs very seriously," said a Premier League statement.

"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 and are, to our knowledge, some of the sternest in place in any UK industry.

"The FAPPT means anyone convicted of a range of offences would not be permitted to become a director, or a shadow director, at a club.

"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.

"We have responded to Human Rights Watch to assure them of the above facts, and to underline that we will always operate within the law and will take into account any evidence as verified by the appropriate legal process."

The City hierarchy are even firmer in their conviction that Thaksin is being victimised by a government whose only interest is to pursue a personal vendetta against the only man to win two terms in office through democratic elections.

"What seems to have slipped through the minds of some observers of this situation is that Dr Thaksin was the first, and only, Prime Minister of Thailand to be democratically elected twice," said a senior City official.

"He was then the victim of a coup-d'etat from a military junta, who are now actively pursuing anything they possibly can against the man.

"We have total confidence that any investigation into him with flounder."

City fans certainly do not seem to worried by Thaksin's background.

Having seen their new owner install former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager, Blues supporters have noted a multi-million pound investment in a squad which performed so poorly last season.

Four new signings have already been made, with City expecting at least two more ahead of Saturday's high-profile friendly with Valencia.