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Hugh Robertson, the Conservative shadow sports minister, said fans would be unable to understand how Thaksin could be a suitable owner of City.

"Once formal charges have been laid, it is difficult for the layman to understand how any fugitive from international justice facing corruption charges could be a fit and proper person to own a football club," said Robertson.

The English Premier League's "fit and proper person" test for club owners has been under political attack since Thaksin became Manchester City's new owner.

Robertson said developments at Manchester City and concerns about foreign ownership of leading clubs meant that it might be necessary for the Premier League to look again at the effectiveness of the test.

The new sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, would not be drawn on Wednesday to comment on specific cases but said the British government was not complacent about foreign takeovers.

"I want the tradition of football to be respected," he said. "We are dealing with companies governed by the rules of the stock market and company law."

Thaksin arrived at the City of Manchester Stadium on Tuesday and spent 20 minutes talking to the players after successfully completing his £81.6-million (Bt5.5-billion) takeover. His arrival in Manchester coincided with a decision by the Supreme Court to hear corruption allegations against him.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders on Tuesday decided to proceed with the trial against Thaksin and his wife Pojaman for alleged corruption in relation to the Ratchadapisek land deal in 2003. The tribunal scheduled the first hearing on August 14 for the couple to enter their pleas.