Et tu, Brute?
This is a translation from Chiang Mai Live TV on facebook – and is probably the best summary of where the club stands at the 31 May T3 Licensing deadline.
“To be honest, right now Chiang Mai FC is in a coma from the problems that have occurred. Lanna Tigers football fans probably know the team’s current situation.
CMFC finished the season in 5th place after investing heavily at the beginning of the season under the management of “Sand” Yosmetha Chandrawiroj, who took over the club from the BG Group. The club brought high-wage players into the team with the goal to move to T1 within one year. This is the beginning of it all.
The problems have accumulated for a long time There are enormous problems brewing, starting with not submitting club licensing in the time frame set by the AFC, to the point where the club is now definitely unable to play in Thai League 2. Despite filing an appeal, it was rejected and the club licensing of Thai League 3 had to be submitted as well.
Also two former personnel from the club filed a complaint with the Football Association of Thailand that Chiang Mai FC had not yet paid compensation for their dismissal from the club. Totaling more than 2 hundred thousand baht.
This problem caused club licensing of Thai League 3 to be halted. and the Football Association issued an ultimatum if this debt was not cleared then the club could not compete in Thai League 3 and had to start over in the Amateur League. These cases were apparently settled yesterday.
Now Chiang Mai FC submit documents for club licensing to Thai League 3. There is also news that the club will be moved to use the Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Stadium, replacing the municipal stadium that will be closed for renovations. It is considered a return to using 700 years again after the last time in 2019. (This is a change from the earlier news that CMFC would play at the Lamphun Municipal Stadium.)
Reading this, Tiger’s fans will be able to feel at ease. But the story isn’t over yet. The club still has a huge debt pile up. As far as information has been received, it is 8 million baht, but it may be more than that. which has a direct impact on any change in ownership.
Initially, Big Sand was preparing to sell the team. There was a new venture group was interested, but now there are problems that may block this. The debt of 8 million baht, including the power to sign various approvals, must still be Big Sand.
Because according to club licensing regulations, when management changes hands Executives must have managed the team for at least 2 years before they can sell the team or transfer the team; Big Sand has only owned the club for one year.
If we’re talking honestly about the administration. It may be a new group of investors coming to work. But signing various approval documents will be a big concern..
The debts of 8 million baht here are mostly unpaid player wages. There is no clarity whether there are outstanding amounts owed to Thai players. But there are still pending payments due to foreigners, including players and ex coaches where no compensation has been paid yet.
Foreigners did not take up their case with the Thai FA but the cases have definitely been raised with FIFA.
That means that even though club licensing may be passed, if it is retrospectively determined by FIFA that there is wrong-doing then the club can be ordered to disband. In Thailand there has been a previous example (I assume the writer means Muangkan United).
Who would invest now with this potential risk.
Wouldn’t want to take the risk of giving away money for free if the team was disbanded.
The new investment is no small matter because at the moment the club does not have a single player or staff member. Contract have all expired.
Let’s just say we are waiting until the last second to see how this Chiang Mai FC saga will end. Do we heal the wounds and come back to soar again. Or are we taken off the ventilator to sleep forever.”