Sao Sokha, the big mouth military police general, claimed on his own, that "Cambodia will not die just because we are not allowed to play football internationally." (Photo: RFA)New Cambodian chief hits back at FIFA threat
PHNOM PENH, May 10 (Reuters) - Cambodia's new soccer chief defended his recent election on Wednesday and criticised a FIFA threat to ban the country from international competition on the grounds it was a political appointment.
General Sao Sokha, the national Military Police commander and close ally of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was elected last month as President of the Cambodian Football Federation (CFF) to replace Khek Ravy, a politician from the royalist FUNCINPEC party.
FUNCINPEC is the junior partner in the Hun Sen-dominated coalition.
In a letter to the CFF reported in local media, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the election had been "flagrantly violated on the grounds of political interference" and that Khek Ravy -- CFF head since 1998 -- should be reinstated.
"We have sent a letter explaining to the president of FIFA that we did nothing wrong," Sao Sokha told Reuters. "I was legitimately elected and accepted by the former head of the CFF."
The Phnom Penh Post said Ravy was replaced in a snap election in April after complaints from officials at the Ministry of Education that he had been illegally holding the post since 2003.
The paper said FIFA had also threatened to suspend its $250,000 annual funding if he was not reinstated.
"There was no interference from the government. I have asked that FIFA continues to help us, but if it doesn't I don't have to bow my head to FIFA," Sao Sokha said. "Cambodia will not die just because we are not allowed to play football internationally."
General Sao Sokha, the national Military Police commander and close ally of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was elected last month as President of the Cambodian Football Federation (CFF) to replace Khek Ravy, a politician from the royalist FUNCINPEC party.
FUNCINPEC is the junior partner in the Hun Sen-dominated coalition.
In a letter to the CFF reported in local media, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the election had been "flagrantly violated on the grounds of political interference" and that Khek Ravy -- CFF head since 1998 -- should be reinstated.
"We have sent a letter explaining to the president of FIFA that we did nothing wrong," Sao Sokha told Reuters. "I was legitimately elected and accepted by the former head of the CFF."
The Phnom Penh Post said Ravy was replaced in a snap election in April after complaints from officials at the Ministry of Education that he had been illegally holding the post since 2003.
The paper said FIFA had also threatened to suspend its $250,000 annual funding if he was not reinstated.
"There was no interference from the government. I have asked that FIFA continues to help us, but if it doesn't I don't have to bow my head to FIFA," Sao Sokha said. "Cambodia will not die just because we are not allowed to play football internationally."
8 comments:
Oh...oh Mr. Sao! Please try to be Mr. "Sok"! Just wondering if leaders have ever learned how to deal issues with way of diplomatic remedy. That is the new culture that those leaders should start to adopt, NOW.
The real issue is that the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport had no business in organizing snap-elections. Indeed, FIFA rules clearly state that a government may not organize elections to appoint the President of the national football federation. Furthermore, I really can’t imagine that the previous President of the CFF would endorse illegal elections. It smells like a rat: they probably forced him into recognizing the end -result. At any rate, FIFS is right to put their foot down. And although Cambodia would not die if FIFA stops funding, it’s a strange comment to make for the new CFF ‘President’! If FIFA bans Cambodia, then there is no more CFF. And all the work which has been done until now ends…Seems that once more, Sao Sokha spoke without thinking…
WATCH YOUR WORD, MR. SHAV SOOKHARK IS ONE OF THE KILLING DOG. VIET BREED ISN'T IT?
HE IS LOOK LIKE ONE!
I strongly support and very confident to Mr. Sokha... Cambodia Football sofar is damned poor under Khek Ravy, corrupted and underqualified man....
You're right...if FIFA doesn't let us join international match due to this issue, do not bow...What is the use if we go on every match and lose face every time.... it's not different from being naked among hundreds of thousands of crowd... Recalling in the past, under Khek Ravy, with full sponsor from FIFA, Cambodia fall under zero...
Gen. Sao...I am confident that you'll bring Cambodia appear..stronger... I look to see the triumph u'll bring to our nation....
You seem to be in complete denial! under Mr. Khek Ravy, the overall position of Cambodia in FIFA standings raised tremendously. There has never been a claim of corruption against him. Where as we all know that General Sao is far from clean.
If FIFA doesn't let Cambodia play, it would be very embarrassing for General Sao. Indeed, having your federation disbarred because of a corrupt and manipulated election does not send a reassuring signal to international investors. And it sends a terrible image of the country, to the rest of the World.
Not matter what you may think, General Sao’s election is a terrible blow to the growth of Sports in general, and Football in particular, in Cambodia. All in all, a terrible move on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. And a poor attempt at manipulation on the part of one the richest men in Cambodia (amazing how much money a National Military Police Commander makes).
Maybe you should check your facts before making a posting. It would prevent you from sounding like a complete lackey of General Sao Sokha (actually, I’m sure you either work for him, or he asked you to make that posting).
In conclusion, General Sao has no business taking over the CFF. And the consequences of these manipulated elections and events will be long-beraing on the Kingdom of Cambodia.
wait, isn't Sao Sokha the legitimate president of CFF now, recognized by FIFA? Fifa might be the world of football but they don't control cambodia football. They have our own right to do what we want, either play internationally or not. If you just follow every thing Fifa says, then aren't you a fucking dog then follows a master then? think about it and have some self-respect you ignorant son of a b's
no more faggots bitching their cocksucking mouth anymore? Look who brings an international tournament Asean U17 championship to Phnom Penh! There has never been any damn fucking thing like this done for the Cambodian football since the fall of Phnom Penh in 1975. I suggest you watch people that are competent do their work and judge. Don't just open your shiteating mouths before knowing anything about the person you're bitching about, You worthless piece of shits.
Look at who is happening in Cambodia Football now?
1) accepted by FIFA
2) gaining more sponsors
3) gaining more exposure than before
It totally contradicts what the title of this post says, doesn't it? That makes it very clear that this website is bullshit political motivated site run by some hairhead who called others "big mouth" where in reality they are themselves actually the moronic "big mouths" making premature statements.
Keep making up news from your imaginary minds, guys. Keep your delusional selves and friends busy with your made-up news. That's what you idiots really need it.
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