SPORTS NOTES

Thailand's FAT Give Peter Withe Ultimatum

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Sunday February 10, 2002

Just a month after accepting a new contract to coach Thailand's National team, Englishman Peter Withe has been given an ultimatum by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT). Once again Withe is faced with another distraction that could sidetrack his focus on what he is paid to do… coach the National team.

Yesterdays Bangkok Post reported that Vichit Yamboonruang. Chairman of the Thai team administration committee said the FAT would accept no excuses from Withe if Thailand failed to perform adequately in the four nations Kings Cup Tournament that begins today in Bangkok.

This type of statement is exemplary of the type of behavior that exists in Thailand against foreigners. The emphasis is to constantly put pressure on the foreigner and show them whose boss.

Withe's problem came to light just after Thailand won the Tiger Cup in Bangkok in the fall of 2000. It was known that the Thais wanted Withe removed from his position. There were various nonsensical excuses such as he doesn't wear a suite, we want to win. When you factor in that they had just won the Tiger Cup it brings to question the sanity of those who make these statements or think like that.

Prior to last years Kings Cup Withe had a Thai assistant coach defect on him by quitting the squad by announcing it to the newspapers. That coach was not honorable or professional enough to go to Withe and express his grievances man to man. That coach did not want another foreigner on the staff.

That coach was annoyed that Withe's son who coached the champion BEC Tereo team in the then Cal Tex league (Thailand's top league) was permitted on the sidelines for a National team match. It was said that coach felt threaten that the younger Withe would be hired as an assistant for the national team.

The FAT supported this childish behavior. The coach returned to the team a few weeks later. That disruption could have resulted in the Thais poor showing in that event which they won the previous year.

As one Thai businessman/soccer fan said, the Thais don't want to see a foreigner be powerful in Thailand. He also mentioned that Withe was doing a tremendous job coaching the squad and said Withe had the team playing beautifully.

A foreigner who has been living and doing business in Thailand for over ten years said regarding this subject, the Thai's have a way of showing you and putting you in your place.

This meddlesome behavior brings to question what is the motive.

From the time it was mentioned in July 2001 that Withe's contract due to expire October 20, 2001 would be renewed (unbeknown to him) until it was finally a done deal in January 2002, the FAT bombarded Withe with unnerving drivel that they couldn't afford to pay his salary.

The English Football Association paid Withe's salary for three years. There was a statement from a FAT officer that Thailand would never hire another foreign coach….only a Thai. Withe eventually agreed to a new deal taking a 25% cut in salary.

Now this… just a month into the new contract Withe is faced with an ultimatum.

Withe took a team of quitters that tried to throw a game with Indonesia in the 1998 Tiger Cup. They were afraid to win because the winner would have to face Vietnam. A Thai coached that team.

Within a couple of months after signing as the Thai coach in October 1998 Withe led them to a fourth place finish in the Asian games. That included a win over Asian powerhouse South Korea. The Thais won the match with only nine men.

Withe then managed the team to a victory over English Premier league heavyweight Arsenal. They have also won the Sea Games, Tiger Cup and made the World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in their history. This past July they played Manchester Untied with a full squad that included David Beckham, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastian Veron, tough losing 2-1.

QUESTION??? WHAT IN THE WORLD DO THE THAIS WANT….WITHE'S BLOOD? WHY CAN'T THEY SHUT UP AND LET THE MAN COACH AND NOT ERODE TEAM CHEMISTRY AND HARMONY WITH THEIR CONSTANT FOOLISH BICKERING. It's as though FAT officials love to hear themselves talk.

One thing is certain; Withe is tough and has guts to take this abuse by the Thais. You have to wonder is this job worth the stress that is heaped on him. Perhaps the Thais should hire a Thai coach and return to their losing quitting ways. This reeks of arrogance and racism…the foreigner is not worthy. If you ain't Thai… you ain't. Oh please…

The Thais are very sensitive to criticism but are adept at dishing it out. As one expat who was a longtime resident of Thailand remarked after discussing Withe's situation, "This is a bad time for a foreigner to be in Thailand."

It's a shame since Withe has built a cohesive squad that are winners and entertaining to watch. They have over-achieved under Withe and need solidarity to continue doing so.

The drama continues today as Thailand takes on Singapore. Qatar and North Korea are the other competitors in the tournament.

RELATED STORY: The Asian Football Association (AFC) decided that this years Asian Games soccer competition in Pusan, South Korea should be limited to under-23 teams. That gives Withe one less competition to prepare for…he does not coach the under-23 squad.

Other related stories:

Thailand vs Indonesia

Thailand vs Manchester United

SOCCER

Monday January 7, 2002

PETER WITHE agreed to a one-year deal to remain as coach of Thailand's National soccer/football team.

Withe took a 25% cut in salary. Over the past three years the Englishman received 600,000 baht ( $13,636) a month that was paid by England's Football Association. The organization fulfilled their commitment and it was up to the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) to take it from there.

Under the new agreement the former Aston Villa striker will receive 450,000 baht ($10,227) a month. Other reports said that Withe will also be furnished a car and his lodging will be paid for.

The Bangkok Post reported that Withe was pleased. "I initially hoped to coach Thailand for five years and this will be my fourth year," he said.

For the past year there has been speculation that Withe would not be offered a new pact. When Withe's three-year contract expired in October he didn't have a written agreement with the FAT to continue. The FAT said they couldn't afford Withe's salary and that they couldn't find sponsors.

Withe led the Thai team to qualify for the World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in their history. It was reported in the Post's July 31st edition that the FAT and the Thai Rath newspaper announced that they would provide the Thai squad 100,000,000 baht bonus ($2,272,000) to reach the finals.

The project was to be coordinated with five other sponsors DTAC, IMG, Siam Sport Syndicate, FBT and Beer Chang.

When the FAT was looking for funding to pay Withe for a new agreement none of those sponsors stepped forward with money to retain the coach.

Related stories: Soccer

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