Human Rights Watch insist Thaksin is a "human rights abuser of the worst kind" and are angry the Premier League did not use their fit and proper person test to stop him taking over at Eastlands.

Thaksin, 58, has had almost one billion pounds in assets frozen by the military government which ousted him from his homeland last October. He also faces a succession of corruption charges relating to his five years in power.

"Under any definition, I don't see how Thaksin can be fit and proper," HRW's Brad Adams told BBC Sport on Tuesday.

"I've written a letter to the Premier League asking what this test means."

The Premier League stood by their decision, claiming their vetting process is one of most stringent in England.

"It is important to realise that the Premier League takes its responsibilities surrounding the governance of its clubs very seriously," a Premier League statement said.

"We have very clear rules on the ownership of our clubs, which include the 'Fit and Proper Persons Test (FAPPT)', which go beyond any requirement by UK company law and are, to our knowledge, some of the sternest in place in any UK industry.

"But what needs to be made clear is that in the first place we accept the primacy of UK and European law. This determines who may, and who may not, legally reside in the UK, own and acquire assets, and engage in commercial and other activities."