Rocker Sek Loso to bankroll PoliceR

Rocker Sek Loso to bankroll Police

Rocker Seksan Sukpimai, better known as Sek Loso, has invested in Thai Premier League (TPL) club Police United.

Seksan, one of Thailand's most famous rock stars of this generation, said the logo of his Loso D energy drink will appear on the players' shirts.

He would not stop there as he planned to push for his product to be a sponsor of an English Premier League club.

Seksan also plans to change the name of the club to Loso Police United.

Police United have been hit by financial problems as they reportedly owe the players five months in salary.

Despite the trouble, they comfortably won the League One title last season and earned a quick return to the top flight after just one season in the second-tier competition.

Meanwhile, 10 clubs on Monday filed an appeal with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) against the TPL's decision to increase the number of teams in the league from 18 to 20.

The clubs are Buriram United, Chonburi, Bangkok Glass, Ratchaburi, TOT, Saraburi, Navy, Chainat, Police United and Suphanburi.

They were led by Chonburi vice-chairman Annop Singtothong.

They claimed that the expansion would force them to play too many matches.

TPL chairman Ong-art Kosinkha said the league would meet on Jan 18 to make a final decision whether to go ahead with the expansion.

Under the initial plan, BEC Tero would remain in the TPL although they were relegated to League One at the end of last season along with Port and TOT.

The TPL bosses also plan for Port and TOT to meet in a play-off for a place in the TPL with the other three new teams being the top three from League One.

Critics have lashed out at the plan, saying the TPL want to make sure that BEC stay in the top division.

On Sunday, SAT governor Sakol Wannapong said he disagreed with the expansion plan.

"There is no need for it,'' he said.

Sakol, whose SAT is the government's sports-controlling arm, said he was "surprised by the decision".

He, however, made it clear that the SAT will "not interfere" in the matter.