Thai football faces heavy penalties from FIFA.

Thai football is facing the risk of receiving a ban from international competition from the International Football Federation (FIFA).

Specifically, according to the Bangkok Post, FIFA has demanded that Pattaya Football Club withdraw its lawsuit against the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and its president, Worawi Makudi, regarding the implementation of the new election regulations, or Thai football will face a ban from international competition.

"If the complaint is not withdrawn before June 24, 2013, the matter will be referred to FIFA's Emergency Committee and a decision on an indefinite suspension of Thai football will be made soon," FIFA Deputy Secretary-General Markus Kattner said in a fax sent to FAT Secretary-General Ong-arj Kosinkar.

"FAT will lose its membership in international football organizations such as FIFA and AFC. Thai national teams and clubs will be suspended from participating in official international competitions. Thai members will also no longer be eligible to participate in football organizations…"

Mr. Kattner also warned: "If FAT does not amend its electoral regulations in accordance with FIFA and does not hold elections for a new president before September 30, 2013, FIFA will take appropriate punitive measures."

The election for a new FAT president was scheduled for June 15th, but the FAT unexpectedly suspended the vote, citing the need to await new FIFA election regulations. This decision led to a storm of criticism against Makudi, and the Pattaya club also filed a lawsuit against him.

Pattaya Club claims that Makudi unilaterally reduced the number of voting members from 180 to 72 for his own benefit – a move that violates the new FIFA regulations.

In the letter, Mr. Kattner explained: "As you know, FIFA and FAT operate independently and are never influenced by third parties... Therefore, the court ruling last weekend undermined the authority of FAT."

Thailand (in red) risks being banned from international competition. (Source: Reuters)

According to regulations, FAT must hold elections for a new president within one month of the previous president's term ending. Previously, on June 16th, Mr. Makudi officially completed his term as president. Therefore, July 31st is a deadline that exceeds the current election regulations of FAT.

Following FIFA's request, Pattaya stated that the team was willing to withdraw its lawsuit against FAT on the condition that the organization agreed to sit down and negotiate the number of voting members for electing a new president.

According to (Vietnam+) - DT