League monitor City situation

The former Thailand Prime Minister arrived in London on Monday after refusing to answer fraud and corruption charges in his homeland. It leaves the Premier League in a difficult position.

Chief executive Richard Scudamore will wait to see if the Government steps in first, and said: "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."

It is a matter Scudamore could have done without, although if he feels the Premier League's 'fit and proper persons test' needs to be used for the first time, he will.

"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 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. It is an evolving situation and we will look at it."

However, before his departure from China, Thaksin outlined his own version of the charges levelled against him, which he remains convinced are politically motivated.

"What has happened to me and my family and my close relations has resulted from efforts to get rid of me from politics," he said.

"These are my political enemies. They don't care about the rule of law, facts or internationally recognised due process."

Thaksin has vowed to return to Thailand one day but it is difficult to see such a scenario arising in the near future.