FIFA scrutinising Thai official over grant claims

Posted Thursday, September 15, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

FIFA has asked Thai official Worawi Makudi to explain allegations that money from development grants were spent building facilities on land that he owned, football's governing body confirmed Wednesday.

FIFA said in a statement it had requested an explanation from Worawi, a member of the organisation's executive committee and one of the most influential men in Asian football.

The statement said Worawi could face a possible ethics investigation if there is any evidence to support claims against the official.

Allegations in Thailand have said the country's national football centre was built with money from FIFA's GOAL development programme on land owned by Worawi, who also owns land around the centre.

"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," a FIFA statement said.

"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.

"We cannot speculate at this stage if any of the rules and regulations regarding the awarding of a Goal project have been breached."

Worawi is closely linked to disgraced Asian Football Confederation chief Mohamed Bin Hammam, who was banned for life in July after being found guilty of bribery by a FIFA ethics committee.