FIFA Investigating Thai President Land Deal

 

FIFA is analysing documents related to the ownership of land that Worawi Makudi, FIFA executive committee member, says he signed over to the Thai FA.

The title deed documents are being examined by Chris Eaton, FIFA’s head of security.

In September, FIFA requested Makudi provided clarification after allegations he benefited from grants to build facilities on land he owned. Makudi denies the allegations.

Makudi has given documents to FIFA in his quest to clear his name

Thai president Makudi has continually denied using money from FIFA’s “Goal” development programme to build Thailand’s national football centre on the outskirts of Bangkok. He claims the land is owned by the Thai FA.

The land is in the Nong Jok district of Thailand, which is the location for the Thai national football centre that was opened in by Sepp Blatter in September 2009.

It was constructed using £542,000 of development money from the “Goal” project.

There is currently no ethics committee investigation regarding Makudi. It is possible FIFA will begin a formal inquiry if it is not convinced by the documents Makudi has handed over.

In May, Makudi was named in Parliament by former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman as one of four Ffia members who sought “bribes” in return for backing England’s failed 2018 World Cup bid. Fifa refuted Lord Triesman’s allegations.