Not so fast, Mr BondUpdated: June 27th, 2007
I’ve always enjoyed reading David Bond, the Daily Telegraph writer who has an excellent grasp of football finance. But I have to take issue with his piece today headlined City fans still silent over Human Rights wrongs. Here’s an extract:
The lack of dissent from City supporters over Thaksin’s bid for control of Manchester City is surprising when one considers the outcry which accompanied his abortive attempt to buy into Liverpool three years ago.
Bond quotes Supporters’ Club spokesman Kevin Parker to illustrate what he feels is a lack of concern about Thaksin’s human rights record. “If you could hand pick who you wanted to invest in your football club, he wouldn’t be top of your list. But we desperately need investment in the team,” Parker says.
With negotiations at a very sensitive stage, it would be extraordinary if the OSC spokesman waded in with accusations about a prospective new owner, particularly considering how closely the club keep an eye over that organisation. And to suggest that one person can speak for all fans is plainly absurd. Had Bond read some of the many City talkboards he would have found plenty of concern about Thaksin, his human rights record and his business dealings.
But most of all he would have found debate.
Having read all the main talkboards over the last few days it’s clear that a sizable portion of posters are not particularly concerned about Thaksin’s background as long as his money can bring success, while a minority are hostile. But the main bulk of us appear to be somewhere in the middle. We know this guy is a bit dodgy, but we’re not going to rush to judgement with so much spin, allegation and propaganda flying around.
(Mancityfans poster Ben gives his take on the Thaksin situation)
This comment from Gavin, one of the owners of Citymancs, is probably typical of where a large portion of opinion is right now:
“It’s clear that the current leadership of Thailand aren’t particularly keen on him, they wouldn’t have overthrown him otherwise. Therefore it’s difficult to know whether charges coming from there are justified or not. Either way it’s worrying that the government are willing to throw as much mud at him as possible as some might stick to MCFC as well as him personally. It’s a difficult situation and clearly I’d prefer someone with a less murky background but I’m reticent to believe all that is said from there as there are clearly ulterior motives to be considered.”
For Bond to compare ourselves with Liverpool is also unfair. Although there were indeed concerns voiced about Thaksin during his attempt to buy into Liverpool in 2004, these were no doubt amplified by fears over the financial impact it might have on a successful and wealthy club.
City, on the other hand, are a financial basket case whose fans have been starved of success for 31 years. After enduring three years of hope-sapping transfer dealings and a season of garbage football that broke the record for boredom, the idea that we’re going to rush out to condemn the first man who offers some kind of hope is plainly unrealistic.
Bond also quotes Brad Adams, Asian director of Human Rights Watch, who says:
“If I was a Manchester City fan I would be very afraid of where this all might lead. Supporters have to ask themselves the question: do they want a serving Prime Minister with this sort of background and record running their club?”
Brad, you’re not a City fan and we are asking the question.
But right now it feels as though a complex game of chess is being played out, with City a mere pawn. There’s no doubting that organisations such as Human Rights Watch do great work but they, like Thaksin, are now using City to further their political ends.
Few of us had heard of Thaksin a few weeks ago, and the politicial situation in Thailand was hardly a common topic of conversation in pubs. For the last couple of weeks I’ve been archiving information about Thaksin and Thai politics, but I too want to reserve judgement until I have a clearer picture.
All in good time, Mr Bond.
~ I’ve found a couple of things so far worth sharing. The first concerns the role of Thaksin’s wife, Potjaman, who according to this story appointed several cabinet ministers when her husband was PM. There’s also a very funny entry about Thaksin in Wikipedia spoof Uncyclopedia.