The cash-strapped FAT suffered the latest blow when the Supreme Court ordered the association to pay B360 million in damages to Siam Sport Syndicate Plc for an “unfair” termination of a privileges and TV rights contract, reports the Bangkok Post.
The Supreme Court’s decision to throw out an appeal lodged by the FAT against an earlier ruling was announced on Mar 6.
The press conference was held to allow Nualphan, affectionately nicknamed Madam Pang by the Thai media, to present a report on her first year in office but it was dominated by talk of the burgeoning debt the FAT has to handle.
“The way things are, we will sue Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang, the former FAT chief, and the executive board at that time because all this happened during Somyot’s era,” said Nualphan.
Somyot had served as the head of the national association for two terms spanning eight years and had terminated the Siam Sport contract in 2016.
Nualphan took over the reins of the FAT in February last year following a landslide victory, winning a record 68 votes from 73 members to become the association’s first-ever female president.
Nualphan burst into tears as she told the press conference: “When I came in, there was nothing. There was only debt in the FAT and I just asked for sympathy and encouragement from the football fans and media.
“These problems were left for me to solve. I am a woman with a kind heart, and I feel bad every time we talk about bad things,” said Nualphan.
“After Somyot’s era, the FAT had only B27 million in its account with a debt of B132mn. We also borrowed money from FIFA to the tune of another B155mn, and have to pay it in annual instalments with FIFA deducting the amount from our support money,” she added.
Commenting on the Supreme Court ruling, Nualphan said: “The cancellation of the contract with Siam Sport caused significant damage to the Thai football industry.
“The B360mn has become a debt that the FAT will have to pay.
“I respect the judgment of the Supreme Court. The termination of the Siam Sports contract was not correct or fair, and it all happened before I took over as the FAT president.
“I have decided to bring this matter to the attention of the FAT executive board immediately because in the lawsuit under Section 76 of the Civil and Commercial Act, the second defendants were the former FAT chief and the executive board at that time.”
Nualphan also spoke about the achievements made by the FAT under her leadership, placing special emphasis on the national team’s performance in various tournaments and successful hosting of the FIFA Congress in Bangkok last year.
SYMPATHY
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong said on Mar 12 that his agency cannot provide any financial assistance for the purpose of FAT repaying its debts, even though the ministry has sympathy.
Neither could the money from the National Sports Development Fund be granted to the FAT for this purpose as the fund is strictly intended for sports development, not paying debts, he said.
Mr Sorawong said all the ministry could do is arrange talks between Siam Sport Syndicate Plc and the FAT to negotiate the terms and other details of how the court-ordered financial compensation will be paid.
Mr Somyot, meanwhile, said he was not worried about the lawsuit because he was ready to defend himself against any allegations.
He also offered clarification on the termination of the contract with Siam Sport Syndicate Plc while he was the FAT chief, saying the cancellation concerned the latter’s right to take care of benefits and privileges of the FAT, not the right to broadcast Thai League matches, which had been granted to TrueVisions.
The FAT in return continues receiving payments for the broadcasting right from TrueVisions, he said.
Siam Sport Syndicate Plc sued the FAT for damages because the company purchased a TV broadcasting mobile unit and other equipment in advance, adding that it had nothing to do with the broadcasting rights of these matches.
As for the B155mn debt the FAT owed to FIFA, the money was spent on the FAT’s operations and aid, Mr Somyot concluded.