Citizens owner under fire
31 Jul 2007 - 11:04:32
Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has come under fire from two leading human rights organisations for his actions during his time as Prime Minister of Thailand.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both voiced their concern at the Thai's buyout of the Citizens, despite the Premier League insisting that proper procedures have been followed.
HRW spokesman, Brad Adams, told BBC Sport: "Under any definition, I don't see how Thaksin can be fit and proper.
"I've written a letter to the Premier League asking what this test means."
An Amnesty International spokesperson added: "Thaksin did preside over some very serious human rights violations.
"If the Premier League wants to take any of that into account when making their decisions, we're happy to make our documents available to them."
However, the Premier League responded to these charges by issuing a statement of their own in which they pledged to make every check possible on a man who faces criminal charges in his homeland.
The statement read: "It is important to realise that the Premier League takes its responsibilities surrounding the governance of its clubs very seriously.
"We have very clear rules on the ownership of our clubs, which include the Fit and Proper Persons Test (FAPPT), which go beyond any requirement by UK company law and are, to our knowledge, some of the sternest in place in any UK industry.
"The FAPPT means anyone convicted of a range of offences would not be permitted to become a director, or a shadow director, at a club.
"We have responded to Human Rights Watch to assure them of the above facts, and to underline that we will always operate within the law and will take into account any evidence as verified by the appropriate legal process."