Arrest Warrant issued for Manchester City Owner

They’ve filled their roster with high-priced acquisitions. They acquired a big name manager. They won their first game. Things are definitely on the up and up at Manchester City if you ignore the fact that their owner has been linked to human rights abuses and that a warrant for his arrest has now been issued.

Thaksin Shinawatra is known to football fans as the guy who bought Manchester City earlier this year and who has opened his extensive wallet to lure Sven-Goran Eriksson and a bunch of new players. In the non-football world, he is known as the guy who used to be the prime minister of Thailand until he was overthrown in a peaceful military coup last September.

These two worlds might collide if Shinawatra is forced to go back to Thailand where he is charged with corruption. This could lead to him having to relinquish his assets in the UK, including his shares of Manchester City.

Always one to cover their legal backsides, the Premier League are standing behind Shinawatra but are eager to point out they aren’t above the law.

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.”

I’d love to see what is involved with that Fit and Proper Persons Test. Apparently you get a couple points taken off for being a sketchy former political leader ousted in a coup, but that is more than offset by the bonus points you get for having mega wealth and not being hesitant to use it on football.

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Category: English Premier League, World Football