BANGKOK: Thailand’s controversial football chief on Thursday denied fraud allegations linked to a multi-million dollar broadcast rights deal, the latest in a cascade of claims against him.
Football Association of Thailand (FAT) chief Worawi Makudi, a powerful figure in the Asian game, rubbished accusations by South Korean firm Dae-an 21 that he prematurely canceled an exclusive contract worth $2.4 million a year.
“The fraud allegation is groundless,” Worawi told reporters, in response to the Korean company threatening legal action against the FAT — and its chief — for failing to stick to the terms of the deal.
The FAT had signed a four-year contract with the company from 2007 to 2011, but Worwai said Dae-an 21 broke the deal when it stopped making payments after around a year and failed to respond to queries over the shortfall.
“It (the allegation) is part of an effort to discredit myself and the FAT, I think the FAT should sue back to protect our reputation.” The 60-year-old Worwai, who has been an executive member of football’s governing body FIFA since 1997, has had previous brushes with controversy.
He was cleared last year of accusations that funds meant for the FAT to build football facilities were spent on land he owned in Bangkok.
This week he rejected fears the FAT may be disbanded over alleged links to a profit-making enterprise that ran a football tournament.
In addition Lord Triesman, the former English FA chairman who resigned over a bribe scandal involving FIFA officials in a return for backing England’s World Cup bid, accused Worawi of involvement in the scam.
Asian football has been mired in scandal since last year when a welter of allegations of financial and other misconduct were laid against its chief Mohamed bin Hammam.
Thai chief denies fraud allegations
