Some decisions for the EPL following the Shinawatra sentence. Since the proper and fit test applies only to convicted criminals and not to ongoing investigations, this should mean that Shinawatra gives up his minority stake in Man City, steps down as honorary chairman, and his surrogates yield their board positions.
But on a larger level this conviction is also an embarrassment of sorts to the EPL whose desire to make the league the centerpiece in the world makes it overlook obvious warning signs. It is fortunate that the ADUG came to the rescue within a heartbeat as Shinawatra found his economic position untenable. This conviction will undoubtedly further fuel Lord Treisman’s desire to introduce reforms and seek changes to the ‘fit and proper’ test.
The British government will unlikely grant him asylum because he was given every occasion to show up for the trial, skipped bail, and is being charged for tax evasion and fraud. Since it is a government padded with Shinawatra cronies, his life as such is not being threatened on political or religious grounds. The tolerance for economic offenders is very low right now and Britain’s reputation for welcoming criminals on the lam sends the wrong message. The EPL should be wary of becoming a conduit for rehabilitating such careers.
Shinawatra is also in danger of forfeiting $2.2 billion in assets which Thai prosecutors have asked the Supreme Court to seize and place in state coffers which will happen if he does not return. The prosecutors might be willing to work out a compromise if he does jail time.