Quo Vadis TPL

It is exceedingly difficult to know where to start on this issue. It is easy to denigrate the TPL management – and I admit, I personally have been guilty of this. We are all aware of the mess that has arisen due to a “perfect storm” of circumstances that has put Thai football into a spin – indeed some say into an inexorable downward spiral.

The problems are well documented and considerable vitriol has been fomented in the wider football community but now we must look forward, accept the TPL board’s decisions – whether we like them or not and “get on with it”.

So “Quo Vadis TPL”. Measures must be implemented to reinforce the credibility in Thai domestic football. Any committee or leadership group needs a strong leader. The TPL board is no different. There is however another essential prerequisite of the board’s leadership.

The leadership should be considered impartial and immune from influence by money or wealthy individuals. Whether such an entity can be found in a country where influence, graft and deception is inherent is questionable.

Decisions made must have the successful future of the TPL (and by default Thai National Teams) as the first priority and not to satisfy the needs of self publicizing, wealthy individuals whose sole purpose for involving themselves in football is to massage their own egos and publicly express their own power and influence.

This in my opinion covers ALL of the current problems that the TPL is currently experiencing. A forward looking and “honest broker” wielding the power of a clear and precise set of rules could possibly drag the TPL out of the current quagmire……so let’s go TPL!!

TPL problems to be resolved Jan 2016.

Presently there are problems with the future of the following teams;

•          BEC Tero - fielding an illegal foreign player.
•          Port - awaiting decision on number of teams in the TPL.
•          TOT - making court case concerning relegation of 3 teams.
•          Police - insufficient funds.
•          Sukhotai - awaiting decision on floodlight failure.
•          Nahkon Pratom - awaiting decision on floodlight failure.
•          Saraburi - threatening to leave if no owner found.
•          Udon - potential takeover of Pattaya United.
•          Pattaya United - future ownership in doubt.

Does anyone think that all of these cases can be resolved in less than  6 weeks when the new season is scheduled to start? I don't!!

Madam Pang "I didn't know about the TPL expansion - honest"

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R.I.P TPL; Lions led by donkeys

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TPL board meeting to discuss how to spend their bribe money,

Decisions that the TPL should have made.

·         Keep the TPL at 18 teams.

·         Tero lost their court case – relegate them.

·         Port  - relegate them

·         TOT – relegate them

·         Sukhothai floodlights failed – award 3 points to Nakhon Pathom.

·         Police, Pattaya and Nahkon Pathom promoted.

Job done – credibility maintained. It’s not rocket science is it? If any team disagrees with these decisions, it should be suggested that they bugger off and play elsewhere.

THE TPL situation – my thoughts.

Recent events in the TPL have made a complete mockery of Thai domestic football. In an institution littered with past controversial events, this latest debacle, the culmination of lack of decision making regarding the Sukhothai v Nahkon Prathom floodlight failure issue and the fielding of an illegible substitute in a match involving BEC Tero has led to the present farcical situation.

Added to this the potential relegation of 2 established teams, the owner of one threatening to sell or close the club has added spice and one is forced to ask how have these decisions been prompted.

Port, one of those due to be relegated have been voraciously swallowing up top stars, which then begs the question “Did they know, or were they in cahoots with the TPL, about ant potential decision?”

How can a governing body be so inept and out of touch with what most fans want?

 I am prompted to say that money and the dark hand of influential individuals could be responsible. The TPL management has simply lost control of a league which is still in its infancy and is beginning to blossom.

As a fellow football pundit stated “Why play the matches?” if at season’s end teams are not relegated as they deserve or denied a promotion that they have earned.

One day on, after the fateful TPL meeting, at which it was decided to expand the TPL to 20 teams for 2016, we are still none the wiser as to the teams who will be at the top table next year.

 With Buriram, Ratchaburi and Chonburi representatives leaving the TPL board, the fear is that cracks and fissures are developing in the Thai football family.

What a mess – The clubs, fans and sponsors deserve better. Will they ever get it….I think not.