FIFA investigate allegations over Thailand’s training centre venue

A FIFA executive committee member from Thailand has been asked by the world governing body to answer claims that development grants were spent building facilities on land that he owned.

FIFA say the case will be passed to the ethics committee if there is any evidence Worawi Makudi has breached the code of ethics.

There have been allegations in Thailand that the country’s national football training centre was built with money from FIFA’s GOAL programme on a plot of land owned by Makudi, and that he owns other plots of land around the centre.

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Makudi has previously told Thai media he had signed over the land to the Thai FA.

FIFA said in a statement: “We can confirm that FIFA is currently seeking clarification with Mr Makudi on the issue of the FIFA Goal projects in Thailand. FIFA has sent a letter to Mr Makudi and is following up on this matter.

“Should there be any evidence of any potential breach of the code of ethics, then the matter would be referred to the ethics committee in compliance with article 16 of the code of ethics. However, at the time of writing, no ethics proceedings or ethics investigation has been opened against Mr Makudi.”

Makudi is a close ally of Mohamed Bin Hammam, who was banned for life in July by FIFA ethics committee for bribery. The Thai accompanied Bin Hammam to the meeting in Trinidad in May where cash gifts were said to have been paid.

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Makudi was interviewed by investigators and told them he saw no evidence of cash gifts being made, or heard any talk of it.

Meanwhile, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has described as “pure nonsense” a report that he may stand down early and make way for Michel Platini. The report quoted “insiders” saying Blatter was considering such a move but he insists that is not the case.

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