Football Club Challenges School Over Cancelled Sports Agreement
Thitichot Pengthawaraporn, president of the Buddhirangsibun Football Club, has appealed to Thailand’s Education Minister after Buddhirangsibun School cancelled a memorandum of understanding that promoted student football. The club alleges the cancellation breaches the agreement, claims it has made major investments in equipment and facilities, and demands the deal be reinstated. It seeks a review and compensation for alleged losses.
The drama in the short-pants scene continues when Thitichot Pengthawaraporn, president of the Buddhirangsibun Football Club, sent a letter to the Education Minister to oppose and contest the school’s announcement cancelling the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on promoting student football, citing multiple violations of the agreement.
The club’s statement said: ‘Requesting information and objecting to the cancellation of the cooperation agreement for promoting student football between Buddhirangsibun School and the Buddhirangsibun Football Club, according to the school’s announcement dated 9 October 2069.’ To the Education Minister, I, Thitichot Pengthawaraporn, as president of the Buddhirangsibun Football Club, request information and object to the cancellation of the cooperation agreement for promoting student football between the school and the club, according to the school’s announcement dated 9 October 2069. I believe the cancellation is an improper exercise of discretion and authority, unlawful and contrary to the agreement, causing damage to the club, student athletes, and related parties. Therefore, I submit this letter to request a review, revoke the cancellation, and keep the agreement in effect, based on the following facts, legal points, and arguments.
Facts: On 16 April 2069, Buddhirangsibun School, represented by its school director, and the Buddhirangsibun Football Club, represented by its club president, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on promoting student football. Clause 7.2 stipulates that termination may be effected by either party giving written notice to the other in advance, and must not affect ongoing activities or obligations. Later, the school issued an announcement cancelling the MOU dated 9 October 2069, claiming the club violated several provisions, and stating the cancellation would take effect after the school team finished the 7HD Champion Cup 2026 competition, and requiring the club to remove its staff and property from the school within 15 days.
The club has invested heavily and borne expenses for promoting student football, including sports equipment, match and training kits for students, travel costs for competitions and training (including the competition in Phrae Province on 3–4 October 2069), facility improvements and upgrades, as well as funds and other resources devoted to developing students. If the cancellation takes effect, these expenses and investments would be wasted and cause severe damage to the club, which would be entitled to claim compensation upon termination.
Furthermore, the club has carried out construction and improvements of structures within the school for the benefit of students and the school, such as a cafeteria building, sports field, and other facilities, which the school claims were built without approval (violating clause 3), but in fact these constructions directly benefit the school and students, continue to benefit the school, and were undertaken with the school’s knowledge and consent, not a violation of the agreement. Moreover, the school’s demand that the club remove its property within 15 days, without regard to the benefits the school receives from the club’s investments, is unreasonable and contrary to legal principles.
The cooperation between the school and the club has yielded benefits for the school.
