FIFA fury: Five more scandals in football
Following revelations and arrests of FIFA officials in Switzerland, Lewis Cox explores five other financial soccer scandals.
The former Thai Prime Minister bought shares in Manchester City in July 2007 for a reported £81.6million.
While he did enjoy a brief fond relationship with City supporters, sold it to their current owners – the Abu Dhabi Group – just over a year later.
He was nominated 'honorary president' at the Etihad, until he was convicted and sentenced to two years' imprisonment on ground of a 'corrupt land deal' in his homeland.
Known as 'Frank' during his City days, a return to football seems unlikely.
2 Diego Maradona
One of the all-time football geniuses was never too far from the headlines.
World Cup winner, scorer of some of the most famous goals in history, but known drug abuse and financial problems have never truly vanished.
The troubled Argentinian star – infamous for his 'the Hand of God' goal against England in 1986 – was hit with a 33million euro tax bill in Italy in 2013, dating back to his stint with Napoli in the 1980s.
His last role was managing Al-Wasl in the United Arab Emirates.
3 Silvio Berlusconi
The former media tycoon turned Italian Prime Minister has owned seven-time European Cup winners AC Milan for the best part of three decades.
The Rossoneri are suffering something of a fall from grace, without a Serie A title since 2011 and with debts up to €250m,
Berlusconi has admitted "one family alone were not able to meet the challenge posed" by 'his' Milan.
In August 2013, the 78-year-old was convicted of tax-fraud, but because of his exceeding years, is paying through community work.
4 Carson Yeung
Birmingham City president between 2007-2014, Hong-Kong businessman Yeung was convicted of money laundering in March 2014 and sentenced to six years in prison.
The £57m takeover of the Blues promised much, a reported £50m transfer budget was said to be made available for then-manager Alex McLeish.
The relationship between fans and president turned sour, he was present during memorable 2011 League Cup victory over Arsenal at Wembley, famously lifting the cup with McLeish.
5 Bernard Tapie
French businessman and president of Olympique Marseille between 1986-1994, Tapie had more than a hand in his side's famous European Cup win in 1993.
He was accused of fixing the club's match against lowly Valenciennes, saving his best players for the big final against AC Milan.
Marseille were later stripped of their French League title, but were allowed to remain European champions.
It did not work out in the long run, however, as the club then suffered relegation to Ligue 2 amid financial struggle widely blamed on the president, who was barred from French football for life.
