Man City chief ordered to Thai court

Updated 16.23 Tue Jul 10 2007

Keywords: Thaksin Shinawatra, Premier League, Manchester City, football, sport

New Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has been ordered to appear in court in Thailand on August 14 to face corruption charges.

The ousted Thai prime minister face charges concerning "misconduct of a government official and violation of a ban on state officials being party to transactions involving public interests".

"The court has ordered them (Thaksin and his wife) to be present at the start of the trial, therefore they must show up in person" - Chief prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon

And he has been ordered by the Supreme Court to be present at the start of his trial next month, three days into the 2007 / 08 Premier League story.

Chief prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon said: "The court has ordered them (Thaksin and his wife) to be present at the start of the trial, therefore they must show up in person."

Thaksin and his wife deny the allegations, relating to a land deal transacted while he was in power, which could carry a ten-year jail sentence.

Meanwhile, Italian striker Rolando Bianchi is poised to become Sven-Goran Eriksson's first signing as City manager.

Reggina have confirmed that they have reached a "preliminary agreement" for the sale of the 24-year-old to the men from the City of Manchester Stadium.

Bianchi, who was the fourth top-scorer in Serie A last season with 18 goals, has been courted by several clubs across Europe.