[골닷컴] Reporter Kang Dong-hoon = The Korea Football Association’s labor union issued a statement opposing the fourth consecutive term of office of Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu. As the Football Association has repeatedly experienced numerous administrative difficulties and the recent controversy over the appointment of national football team coach Hong Myung-bo has been met with various noises and constant criticism and condemnation from football fans, the union has vented its pent-up anger and issued a sharp rebuke to Chairman Chung, who holds all responsibility. They urged him to step down at the end of this term.
The union said in a statement on the 12th, “The behavior of the executive team of Chung Mong-gyu, who blindly pursues only the president’s announcement of a fourth term, regardless of the angry public opinion of soccer fans and the media, is beyond ignorance and is pure incompetence,” criticizing “Chairman Chung declared not to run for office.” I hope that he will spend the remainder of his term in resolving the crisis of the Football Association. He said, “Chairman Chung’s declaration that he will not run will be the first step in resolving the crisis in Korean soccer.”
He continued, “Even as I watched the successive failures of the executive branch of Chung Mong-gyu, I watched with the thought, ‘We will resolve this at the level of common sense.’ With that expectation, there was also a sense of responsibility as members of the Football Association, so before criticizing the management, we first took time to reflect on whether there were any problems ourselves. “It is true that the silence was long to avoid giving the impression that the union was intervening in the election of the head of the Football Association in January next year,” he said, adding, “But the union, like the football fans, has reached a point where it can no longer tolerate it.”
The union concluded by saying, “I hope that Executive Director Chung Mong-gyu will only last until the end of this term and reap the benefits. Chairman Chung should put an end to his relationship with Korean soccer by helping the newly formed national team coach and staff settle in amid controversy and twists and turns. “I hope that the remaining numerous reform tasks will be left to the next executive branch and leave without any regrets,” he urged.
This is not the first time the union has called for Chairman Chung’s resignation. Last July, the Korea Football Coaches Association issued a statement saying, “I have never seen such an incompetent and irresponsible football association in our history,” and added, “We clearly state that Chairman Chung is solely responsible for creating a total crisis and adding to greater confusion. Therefore, Chairman Chung must take responsibility for all of this process and results and resign immediately,” he said.
However, Chairman Chung is not paying attention to the flood of public opinion that he should resign. Last May, he ran as a solo member of the Asian Football Confederation’s East Asia region quota executive committee and was elected, showing his ambition for a fourth consecutive term. He once again expressed his determination for a fourth term by selecting HDC and HDC Hyundai Development Company, of which he is the head, as the official partner of the Football Association. revealed. Last month, he also served as vice-chairman of the Member Association Committee, a standing committee under the Asian Football Confederation.
Ultimately, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an audit of the Football Association last month as public opinion boiled over as procedural issues arose in the process of appointing coach Hong. The audit results are expected to be completed in the middle of next month. In addition, the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee adopted Chairman Chung and Coach Hong as witnesses when asked about pending issues related to the Football Association. The inquiry on pending issues is scheduled to be held on the 24th, after the Chuseok holiday.
