A British lawmaker’s mention of Wang Yaohui as a part-owner of Birmingham City Football Club during a recent parliamentary debate may increase scrutiny on the Cambodian diplomat, but a cousin said Wang’s alleged involvement is based on a misunderstanding.

Shabana Mahmood, who represents the Birmingham Ladywood constituency, home to the club’s stadium, mentioned Wang last week during a discussion on the financial sustainability of English soccer clubs.

“Wang is a Chinese Cambodian national who has served as an adviser to the Cambodian prime minister and as a diplomat in Cambodia’s embassy in Singapore,” Mahmood told Parliament. 

“He was previously detained by the Chinese Communist Party’s anti-corruption watchdog on allegations of bribery and money laundering regarding a state-owned Chinese bank. Although he went uncharged, his associate was hit with corruption charges and sentenced to life imprisonment,” Mahmood said.

She cited RFA’s reporting in May that identified Wang as the beneficial owner of a British Virgin Islands firm called Dragon Villa Ltd., according to an affidavit submitted to Singapore’s High Court by his longtime associate Jenny Shao.

Lawyers for Wang identified Shao as enjoying power of attorney authority over the diplomat’s affairs during an unrelated California court battle in 2010. 

RFA’s report stating that Dragon Villa controls 12.81% of the club’s shares prompted an ongoing…