An association that forgets manipulation has no future.”
Gangwon FC fans spared no bitter criticism toward the Korea Football Association (KFA), which attempted to pardon 100 soccer players.
Gangwon FC is playing against Suwon Samsung and Hanawon Q K League 1 2023 5th round at Suwon World Cup Stadium from 4:30 pm on the 2nd.
Both teams are winless this season. Suwon is in last place with 1 draw and 3 losses (1 point), while Gangwon also remains in 11th place with 2 draws and 2 losses (2 points). Above all, the first victory is the most important situation.
Nevertheless, Gangwon fans expressed their anger towards KFA at the start of the match. As soon as the whistle was blown, the Gangwon cheering squad, who had come from a long way, chanted with a loud voice, “Get your mind together! Association!”
Hangers containing phrases criticizing the association also appeared. Gangwon fans criticized the determination, saying, “There is no future for an association that has forgotten manipulation.” In addition, he requested a follow-up response with the phrase ‘disclosure of the list of 100 people subject to pardon’.
On the 28th, at 7:00 pm, KFA officially announced under the title of ‘Execution of Amnesty for 100 Soccer Players’, “We held a board meeting in the conference room of the Seoul World Cup Stadium and decided to pardon 100 soccer players who are being disciplined.” Those subject to pardon included former and incumbent players, coaches, referees, and group executives who were being disciplined for various misconduct, and 48 players who were expelled for match-fixing.
Of course, fans strongly protested, and KFA held a temporary board meeting belatedly on the 31st of last month and withdrew the decision. KFA Chairman Chung Mong-kyu bowed his head, saying, “As a result, the judgment was not thoughtful,” but he did not come up with any follow-up measures, such as responding to the recurrence and explaining the background.
As Chairman Chung Mong-gyu said,안전놀이터 fans who have ‘higher eye level’ are not satisfied with an apology. If the KFA is truly admitting its wrongdoing and showing remorse, it should not just apologize, but transparently explain who led the amnesty, who were the beneficiaries, and why it decided to snatch it from behind closed doors.
Unless a sincere apology and a promise to prevent a recurrence are forthcoming, the anger of the fans is unlikely to subside.