Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has
offered to resign from the club's board, executive chairman Garry
Cook has revealed.
The former Thai prime minister flew to Britain last week instead
of returning to his homeland to face court charges.
The Premier League has been monitoring the situation.
Cook said: "Dr Thaksin is embarrassed about the indignity
brought on all the entities - the club, the Premier League - he
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He added: "Dr Thaksin has been really open about this.
"He has said to me, 'if you need me to resign from the football
club as a director, because it would serve the needs of the Premier
League, then I'm fine with that as long as that doesn't change any
other thing.'"
It is not clear what the board's exact response to Shinawatra's
offer was.
Cook said Thaksin will not be present at Eastlands when City
host West Ham on Sunday because of fears for his safety.
"He wants to be at this ground on Sunday but he is hearing
advice about being in a public space," Cook added.
The Premier League has indicated it may ask Thaksin to take its
'fit and proper person test' to see if he can own a club.
"I think there is a very loose term about what is 'fit and
proper'," said Cook.
"It is almost a tongue-in-cheek term that you would use for
Premier League football over the last 10 years. There are plenty of
unfit and improper individuals."
Cook also admitted Thaksin does have financial constraints - his
assets have been frozen in Thailand - but denied it will be a major
problem for City.
"Dr Thaksin is in a political situation and a case that affects
his assets, so that's well documented. So that's a hurdle," Cook
said.
"The truth of it is this club is not going to go out of
business. This club is not bankrupt. We're moving forward."
City manager Mark Hughes, who had dinner with Shinawatra this
week, is pleased with the club's progress in the transfer
market.
The latest arrival, Belgium's 22-year-old midfielder Vincent
Kompany, could make his debut against the Hammers after signing a
four-year deal following his move from Hamburg for a reported
£6m.
His signing follows the capture of Brazil striker Jo in the
close season for £18m.
"We keep on telling everyone there is not a financial situation
here and no constraints," said Hughes.
"Some people are putting out a lot of negativity about the club.
That will change once we start winning games. People will then
concentrate on football, which is the most important thing."<!--
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