Although the Thai League is now well-established, with clubs and a fan base in many provinces, local clubs faces financial struggles and lack of structural support as big clubs with resources and political connection dominate the industry. Some local club managers now say that state agencies should step up to support the academies and clubs so they could turn out a steady stream of quality players and boost local economies.

Professional football in Thailand involves a huge amount of money. However, the games are not profitable for players and investors, with most clubs left in red and depend on supporters with political influence for survival. Financial problems have also made the industry a haven for money laundering.

<div>Buku FC, a football club in the Deep South with the slogan “football for peace and equality,” has created a space for women and girls to exercise and express themselves. The team is made up of Muslim women, men, and LGBT individuals.&nbsp;</div> <p></p>

<p>If you haven’t already caught it, I do recommend the clip of an incident on the Paris Metro just before last week’s PSG vs Chelsea game. &nbsp;For his dignified confrontation against wilfully ignorant loutishness, the actions of M. Suleymane would be hard to best.</p> <p>After a 10-hour day, he just wanted to get home, but was pushed out of a train, twice, by Chelsea supporters chanting ‘We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it.’&nbsp; He lost his phone in the incident.</p>

<p>Those readers with no interest in Premier League football may be in ignorance of the controversy surrounding the sudden appointment of Italian Paolo Di Canio as manager of Sunderland. &nbsp;The team’s owners hope that with 7 games to go, he can save them from relegation (they are currently 1 point above the danger zone).</p> <p></p>