EPL, Premiership, English Premier League

Related post: Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra

Manchester City’s owner Thaksin Shinawatra is seeking asylum in England after becoming embroiled in corruption, fraud, and tax evasion allegations while he was the former President of Thailand. “Dr Thaksin is embarrassed about the indignity brought on all the entities - the club, the Premier League - he never intended this. Dr Thaksin has been really open about this.

“He has said to me, ‘if you need me to resign from the football club as a director, because it would serve the needs of the Premier League, then I’m fine with that as long as that doesn’t change any other thing.’”

Apparently Shinawatra wanted to see City’s game against West Ham on Sunday but threats to his safety have arisen. “He wants to be at this ground on Sunday but he is hearing advice about being in a public space. He wants to be at this ground (Eastlands) on Sunday but people may want to come and show their support from his country and he doesn’t want to use this as a political platform. And there has been a threat to his safety worldwide.”

Shinawatra was embarassed by the allegations and the situation he put City in. “The man is embarrassed about the indignity brought on the club and the Premier League. He [Thaksin] said to me: ‘If you need me to resign from the football club as a director, because it would serve the needs of the Premier League, then I’m fine with that as long as that doesn’t change any other thing (his ownership).’”

Over $2 billion of his assets have been frozen; despite this, he is still Thailand’s 16th Richest person with over $400 million. Shinawatra bought City for €81 million.