Lee Young-pyo, vice president Lee Dong-guk, who is a former national team member and executive of the Korea Football Association, and Cho Won-hee, chairman of the Social Park Committee, step down after taking responsibility for the controversy over the match-fixing amnesty.
Vice Chairman Lee Young-pyo opened his personal Instagram on the afternoon of the 3rd and revealed his position on the withdrawal after the recent controversial attempt to pardon 100 people.
Vice-Chairman Lee announced his resignation in a post titled ‘A letter to all soccer fans in Korea’, saying, “I resign from the position of vice-president of the association today, taking responsibility for failing to prevent the passage of the board of directors related to the Korean Football Association’s disciplinary amnesty last week.” 메이저놀이터
Appointed as the vice-president of the association in March 2021, he recalled once again the ordinary fact that good administration is created through sufficient dissenting opinions and majority voices, and as a member of the association, I feel with a heavy heart all the reprimands from football fans. Also, I am sorry for not fulfilling my role as vice president of the association. I apologize once again for not fulfilling my responsibilities where I should be.”
Vice Chairman Lee Dong-guk posted an ‘apology and resignation letter’ with the same black image and similar content at the same time. Vice Chairman Lee Dong-guk said, “In February of this year, I took the position of vice president at the suggestion of the association. It was a time to learn and understand the work. It was a significant internal agenda, but as a former Gyeonggi player, I felt a sense of responsibility for not blocking it by confidently speaking about my experience.” said.
“I entered the association with the hope of repaying the love I received as a player through administration, but I was lacking in fulfilling my duties as vice president. I fully feel my responsibility and intend to step down from the position at this time. I will repay you by taking the lead in developing Korea’s soccer and creating a healthy sports culture.”
Chairman Cho Won-hee said through his personal YouTube channel community, “I sincerely apologize for disappointing football fans regarding the amnesty overturned by the association’s board of directors. I am sorry that this happened not long after I served as the social contribution chairman. , As one of the people on the board at the time, I sincerely apologize for hurting the fans who love football.”
In addition, “I also know that many people were greatly disappointed in Cho Won-hee because of this incident. I was ashamed of this incident and was very disappointed in myself for my lack of self.” I desperately feel my lack of competence and want to step down from my position.”
On the 28th of last month at 8:00 pm, the association shocked the soccer world by distributing a press release about 1 hour before the A-match friendly match between Korea and Uruguay held at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The association said, “We held a board of directors meeting in the conference room of the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the afternoon of the 28th and decided to pardon 100 football players who are being disciplined. Among the subjects, 48 players who were expelled in 2011 for match fixing in professional soccer were included.”
In addition, “We congratulated ourselves on advancing to the 10th World Cup in a row achieved last year and advancing to the round of 16 in the World Cup in Qatar, and reflected the opinions of the front-line field who proposed an amnesty for harmony and a new start in the soccer world. There is also the purpose of giving footballers another chance,” he said.
The mass amnesty caused controversy in several aspects. While announcing right before the match A, he faced controversy over so-called ‘water riding’ and ‘snatching’. “Why should match fixers receive the benefits of the World Cup Round of 16?” voices came out from here and there. Questions arose about the intention of the association for a sudden decision to grant an amnesty without public opinion, and the purpose of pardoning even though the pardoned persons could not return to their current positions according to the regulations was also questioned.
As the voices arguing for the withdrawal of the amnesty gradually increased, centering on the Red Devils and other soccer fan organizations, the association immediately lowered its tail. At the temporary board meeting on the 31st, a decision was made to ‘completely withdraw’. In a statement after a closed temporary board meeting that lasted about 50 minutes, the association’s president, Mong-gyu Jeong, said, “There is no other opinion that match-fixing destroys the fundamental spirit of sports. Illegal acts cannot be justified. The decision to pardon this disciplinary action was not thoughtful. “I am very sorry for the shortcomings. I will strictly accept the criticism towards the Korea Football Association. I bow my head in apology for causing concern to football fans.”
The aftershock continued. Soccer fans accused former players and executives of implicitly sympathizing with the pardon of match-fixing criminals through silence. As a result, they announced their simultaneous resignation at the same time as if they had promised. However, even after the resignation announcement, fans are showing reactions such as “I’m not asking you to resign, I’m asking why you didn’t oppose it” and “Are you cutting the tail of the association?”