The aftermath of the Korea Football Association’s unprecedented surprise pardon is not serious. In particular, Chung Mong-gyu, head of the Korea Football Association, who stands at the center of this incident, has suffered a major blow once again.
On the 28th of last month, the Korea Football Association decided to pardon 100 soccer players who are being disciplined about an hour before the friendly A match against Uruguay held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Those subject to pardon are former and current players, coaches, referees, and group executives who are being disciplined for various misconduct. Among the subjects were 48 players who were expelled in 2011 for match-fixing in professional football.카지노
It was a trick from the moment of announcement. When everyone’s attention was focused on the big match against Uruguay, which they will meet again after the World Cup in Qatar, they unexpectedly announced the amnesty of the match-fixing participants. There is no doubt that if the association had been confident, it would have set the timing of the announcement right before the A-match.
In the end, the surprise pardon, which was not welcomed by anyone, became a rare skit called withdrawal in three days, and is currently facing a strong headwind.
All members of the association’s board of directors resigned from their positions, taking responsibility for the situation. Lee Young-pyo, former soccer star, Vice Chairman Lee Dong-guk, and Social Contribution Committee Chairman Cho Won-hee resigned as they took responsibility for the scandal over the match-fixing pardon, and soon after, all the board members also stepped down.
Despite the resignation of all executives, Chairman Chung Mong-kyu, who has a heavy responsibility, still maintains his position.
Chairman Chung, who was the only one excluded from the total resignation, read only one page of the apology prepared after the announcement of the withdrawal of the amnesty last week, and did not even answer questions from reporters, closing the window of communication.
Currently, Chairman Chung Mong-kyu is on a slope. With the executive branch virtually paralyzed due to the resignation of the association’s vice-presidents and all members of the board of directors, Chairman Chung remains virtually alone to work.
Finally, on the 5th, Chairman Chung Mong-gyu was further driven into a corner as the People’s Power Congressman Ha Tae-kyung’s office released a list of people subject to pardon, including those who committed financial corruption and violent acts in addition to match-fixing.
Rep. Ha Tae-gyeong criticized, saying, “Through this ‘surprise amnesty’, it was clearly revealed how reckless the livestock cooperative was operating in a closed environment.”
Chairman Chung Mong-gyu is in the biggest crisis. Prestige fell to the floor. In the recent FIFA Council member election held at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) General Assembly, Chung finished sixth out of seven candidates. He suffered a diplomatic disaster that prevented him from becoming a member of the five-member FIFA Council. The right to host the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which China had previously given up, was handed over to Qatar, revealing the bare face of Korean football’s lack of diplomatic power.
Faced with the aftermath of a surprise pardon, Chairman Chung Mong-gyu is losing his place both internally and externally. It’s time for a powerful renewal somehow.
Ironically, Chairman Chung Mong-gyu was the one who chose change. When the association changed its emblem three years ago after 19 years, he said, “I chose a new challenge as a choice between a side dish and a challenge. In a situation where a strong wave of change is approaching, complacency means weeding out soon,” he said. “So I am going to take on the challenge. I will move forward with a new resolution with a new face.”
Perhaps Chairman Chung Mong-kyu himself knows the answer best. Chairman Chung, who succeeded in his third term in January 2021, has about a year and nine months left until January 2025.