United and Chelsea may have to cancel pre-season trip to Bangkok... and all because of a fourth division Thai club



Manchester United and Chelsea's pre-season plans are in danger of being thrown into chaos - by a fourth-tier team from Thailand.

Pattaya FC successfully won an injuction that prevented a vote of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) taking place at the weekend which should have confirmed amendments to their rules in line with FIFA requirements.

The world governing body has taken a dim view of the development and warned the FAT they risk being suspended from international competition should a resolution not be reached by the beginning of next week.

In doubt: Chelsea and Manchester United's pre-season plans may be scuppered

Whilst the internal machinations of Thai football do not normally generate much interest in the UK, in this instance the impact of any suspension would affect both United and Chelsea,who are due to visit at the start of their pre-season campaigns next month.

United - who have learned Italian superstar Alessandro del Piero looks certain to be in the A-League All Stars side that faces them in Sydney on July 20 - are due to face the Singha All Stars XI on July 13 in David Moyes' first game in charge.

Chelsea, back under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, are set to meet the same opposition, also in Bangkok, on July 17.

Given the prestige of the two games it seems unconcievable Pattaya would be allowed to derail them over what appear to be relatively minor complaints about the make-up of the Thai FA.

Return: Thaksin Shinawatra with Sir Alex Ferguson on Manchester United's visit to Thailand in 2001

Former visit: Manchester United training in Bangkok in 2001

Nevertheless, the threat is there, which was acknowledged by FIFA committee member and outgoing Thai FA president Worawi Makudi who told Thailand's English-language newspaper The Nation: "I don't want to speculate on the consequences of a possible sanction but FIFA stated the suspension would prevent us from having international contact.

Main attraction: Chelsea visited Bangkok for a pre-season friendly in 2011

'I assume it includes everything.'

In 2009, United were forced to abandon a planned match in Indonesia after a terrorist attack in Jakarta just days before they were due to arrive.

Meanwhile, Red Devils target Thiago Alcantara has confirmed he is desperate for regular first-team football in order to press his World Cup claims.

It has been established that Spain's Under-21 final hat-trick hero is available for around £17million after he failed to play the required number of matches for Barcelona this season to increase his release clause.

The Catalan giants are desperate to keep Thiago, who is apparently also interesting Chelsea.

However, with his route to the first-team blocked by Barca's brilliant array of stars - including Cesc Fabregas, who has also been linked with the Old Trafford outfit this summer - it may be time to move on.

Speaking to Catalan radio station RAC1 on Wednesday, Thiago said: 'There are no more underage teams left so now we are thinking about the senior side.

'To play a World Cup would be a dream, my biggest aspiration.