THAILAND: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra takes full control on Manchester City

Lawyer Noppadon Pattama said on Thursday (July 26, 2007) that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra secured more than 75 percent of Manchester City's shares to take total control and will de-list the club from the stock exchange. The former premier's son, Panthongtae Shinawatra, will become one of the board members. "Now, Shinawatra's family is legally the owner of the club and de-lists the club from public company to become a private company. The family members will be appointed as board members along with eligible persons, but Mr Thaksin's principle of management is to let professional football management manage the team," said Noppadon. The Shinawatra family are looking for new players to strengthen the squad for the upcoming Premier League. Manchester City's last major success was 31 years ago when they won the League Cup. A military-appointed anti-graft panel has ordered to freeze $1.93 billion (U.S. dollars) of Thaksin assets and with the limited budget Noppadon said they are looking for players who are not too expensive. "It will be clearer by August 3th or 4th who will become new players for the team. What I can say now is that they are national team players from Brazil, Sweden and Italy, and probably a Thai," said Noppadon. However, Thai soccer officials said three Thai national team players, defenders Suree Sukha (pronounce: Su-ree Suka), Kiatprawut Saiwaeo (pronounce: Kiat-pra-woot Sai-wao) and striker Teerasil Dangda (pronounce: Tee-ra-sin Dang-da) will train with the team in Manchester next week. Thaksin, who has been living in exile since he was ousted in a bloodless coup last year, has said his 81 million pounds ($163.8 million U.S. dollars) takeover will help improve Thai soccer. Analysts have dismissed the takeover as a publicity stunt aimed at boosting his image among the soccer-obsessed Thai masses, whose votes gave Thaksin unprecedented landslide election victories in 2001 and 2005.

ITN Source | July 27, 2007

Tags:. .persons. .public. .shares. .management. .manage