Worawi given suspended prison sentence
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The Football Association of Thailand president, Worawi Makudi, has been handed a suspended 16-month prison sentence for forging documents in the 2013 election that saw him retain his post for the fourth consecutive term.
The 63-year-old Worawi beat off his sole challenger Virach Chanpanich in an October vote in 2013 to retain the top position in Thai football which he has been holding since 2007. However, the outcome was marred by allegations of wrongdoing during the electoral process.
Pattaya FC filed a lawsuit soon after the election against Worawi and Ongart Kohsinkha, the Thai Premier League chairman, for forging documents. Yesterday, the criminal court declared the pair guilty of the offence.
The court originally handed Worawi and Ongart, who once worked with him as the FAT secretary general, a twoyear jail term and Bt6,000 fine. Given that the two have never been convicted before, the punishment was reduced by one quarter to only one year and four months in prison and Bt4,000 fine, with the jail sentence suspended.
“What we did was for all the member clubs, who have fought with us all along. At last, we have tasted success. We’ve lost in [almost] every court, leaving us fearing that the society would see us in negative light. Let’s see how the next presidential election would be handled,” an emotional Natthaphon Panyakhananukul told reporters after hearing the court’s verdict.
Worawi, who was also present in the court, said he would appeal against the ruling.
“I accept the court’s verdict but I would like to exercise my right to appeal the decision. I’ve done everything as recommended by Department of Provincial Administration in order to ensure there would be no problem. I also did all this in good faith,” said Worawi, who lost his seat on the Fifa’s executive committee in May.
