Former Aston Villa and England striker Peter Withe is currently in charge of the Thai national team and guided them to the semi-finals of the Asian Games football competition in Bangkok.

Thailand has a seat on the FIFA executive committee which will decide who sould host the 2006 finals and national team manager Tawatchai Sajakun says the FA's help will not be forgotten when their vote is cast.

Withe distanced himself from the matter, saying: "It's nothing to do with me. I'm a soccer coach, I'm here to do a job, I'm not interested in the politics."

The news comes less than a week after chief executive Graham Kelly resigned following a row over a £3.2m grant to the Welsh FA.

The Mirror newspaper claims Thailand's representative on the World Cup committee has had several meetings with officials involved in England's bid for the 2006 finals.

Withe: A success in Thailand

Sir Bobby Charlton and campaign chief Alec McGivan are currently in Thailand as part of an ongoing drive to drum up support around the world.

McGivan insists there is nothing wrong with England helping fund football projects in other parts of the world.

"We are seen in the Third World as a wealthy footballing country and some of those countries we talk to are looking for help. Yes, indirectly it might help the bid. But what is wrong with that, as long as you are funding genuine footballing projects," he said.

"We are asking people to vote for us, what is more natural than for them to say `Is there any way you can help us?'. That's the real world. We are supporting genuine football projects. Such activities are common among other comparable associations like Germany and the Dutch."

Withe, who had a spell as manager of Wimbledon after ending his playing career, was working as chief scout for Aston Villa before moving to the Far East.

He is said to be earning a salary of more than £50,000 plus expenses.

"The Thai team was in really deep trouble before he came and in only one month he brought us to the semi-final of the Asian Games," said Sajakun.

"That people never get anything for free. Since the English Football Association helped us when we were in trouble, that's something we will remember."

But the FA rejects criticism of its motives and insists the first contact was made by Thailand, who wanted help to raise the standard of their national team.

The Daily Mail quotes FA director of public affairs David Davies, currently in temporary charge following Kelly's departure, as saying: "We give aid in the form of resources, kit and coaches to a number of countries in Africa and the Far East.

David Davies: 'We've done nothing wrong'

"Thailand is receiving coaching support in the form of Peter Withe."

Davies, meanwhile, says he will not be rushed into a decision over whether to apply for the chief executive's post.

"I have been given the job of executive director for an unspecified temporary period to provide a lead and that is what I will do. What I will do in the longer term is not my first priority at the moment.