Fresh doubt over Thaksin takeover
Thaksin Shinawatra’s takeover of Manchester City may have to overcome another obstacle after reports in Thailand claimed yesterday that a “British law enforcement agency” had been in touch with Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office about £150 million that the former Thai Prime Minister deposited in English bank accounts after he was deposed in a military coup last September.

The reports appeared in newspapers that have attacked Thaksin before and the former Prime Minister denies any wrongdoing and insists that the campaign against him is politically-motivated.

Meanwhile, City have appealed to the club’s small shareholders not to hold up the appointment of Sven-Göran Eriksson by delaying selling their shares to the club’s new owner, Thaksin has said that he will not complete the signing of the former England head coach until he has acquired the 75 per cent of shares needed to take City into private ownership.

Thaksin is now at the 70 per cent mark, having secured another 3 per cent – 1.7 million shares – yesterday.

Robben ‘staying’
Arjen Robben, the Holland winger, is likely to stay at Chelsea next season despite interest from clubs such as Real Madrid, Peter Kenyon, the chief executive of the West London club, said last night. “Arjen is very happy. He wants to prove what a great player he is and still believes the Premier League is the best opportunity,” Kenyon, who has been in Hong Kong, where Chelsea launched a new merchandising deal, said. “I’m confident he’ll be here next season.”

Tévez ruling delay
Sheffield United will learn early next week whether they have been successful in their attempt to overturn the decision not to deduct points from West Ham United for breaching Premier League rules in the transfers of Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano. An arbitration panel is still considering the decision to fine West Ham £5.5 million, rather than deduct them points, and whether to order a fresh hearing into the affair.

Brightwell steps up
Macclesfield Town have appointed Ian Brightwell as their new manager after Paul Ince’s departure from the Coca-Cola League Two club. The 39-year-old former Manchester City midfield player steps up from first-team coach after Ince’s appointment as Milton Keynes Dons manager this week. Brightwell will be assisted by Asa Hartford, the former Scotland player, who has joined the club after a variety of previous coaching positions.

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