Thaksin to buy Man City FC?
Updated on 21 June 2007
Will Thailand's former prime minister be Man City's new owner despite his corruption charges?
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went from being man of the people, to a man the people no longer wanted - all in the in the space of five years.
He courted publicity - even played in a veteran football match in Thailand. Not satisfied with just playing on the pitch, now he wants a club of his own.
Today is bid for Manchester City - worth £81.6 m - has been accepted by the board. It's down to the stakeholders to finalise the deal. But will the people back home see any benefit?
One Thai man said: "In the end this doesn't belong to the Thai people. He should have spent the money to improve Thai football instead."
When Thaksin Shinawatra stepped off the plane and into exile in England Thai authorities were already investigating him for alleged corruption. Charges have now officially been filed.
The question is if not Thaksin Shinawatra , then whom?
To Manchester City's bank account - he's no Roman Abramovich. Much of his £2 billion fortune has been frozen. And before he even takes charge Mr Thaksin needs to be vetted by the Premier League by a 'fit and proper person test' - intended to weed out corruption in the game. He'll have to fill one out.
But because Mr Thaksin hasn't been convicted of anything - he's expected to pass this test.
Sven Goran Errikson - the former England Manager has already been approach for the chance of leading Man City - and with a reported transfer fund of £50m pounds he could be persuaded to move to the north.
Manchester City is in £60m worth of debt, and it's been without a manager since the end of last season. For the club, it could be any port in a storm. The question is if not Thaksin Shinawatra, then whom?
