Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, apologized to the public by completely retracting the pardon plan for 100 football violators, including those involved in match-fixing.
The Korea Football Association’s board of directors held a temporary board meeting at 4:00 pm on the 31st at the multipurpose conference room on the 2nd floor of the Soccer Center located in Sinmun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. This temporary board meeting was held to re-deliberate when a major controversy arose regarding the pardon for 100 disciplinary soccer players decided at the 2023 2nd board meeting held at the conference room of the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 5:30 pm on the evening of the 28th. Chairman Chung held a temporary board meeting for about an hour on this day, then stepped up to the podium and issued a separate statement, apologizing greatly for confusing the football world.
Chairman Chung said, “There can be no other opinion on the point that match-fixing is a criminal act that destroys the fundamental spirit of sports.” I know very well that I can’t do it. That’s why, when I was serving as the president of the Korea Professional Football Federation, I showed my will to ensure that match-fixing will never set foot on our ground again through severe punishment for those who participated. Although the actions I committed were very wrong, I have always thought that it was also a heavy burden that the entire football world, including the Korea Football Association, must carry.”
“From two years ago to more than 10 years ago, I kept receiving suggestions from some footballers about how to be lenient now that they have fully reflected on themselves and paid the price for their sins to some extent. I did not accept these suggestions, but recently the player concerned I came to think that it is now more important to advance the prevention system and faithfully educate people than to keep only 10,000 people tied up in a state of disciplinary action for the rest of their lives.” This is an explanation of why I was deeply concerned about the amnesty plan.
Chairman Chung said,메이저사이트 “It was judged that the alarm bell sounded to all football workers through heavy punishment was quite effective. So, at the time when Korean football starts anew after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the past bondage that those who participated in the match fixing and those subject to disciplinary action committed in the past. I thought it was my duty as the head of Korean football to give him a chance to serve Korean football once again, but as a result, the judgment was not thoughtful.”
“I couldn’t fully understand the tremendous shock and heartache that soccer players and fans suffered due to the match-fixing incident. I couldn’t take into account the stricter moral standards and the heightened expectations of fans who want a fair ground. We also take seriously the criticism that there was a lack of prior communication with related organizations, including the group. We are very sorry for our shortcomings in the decision-making process of this case.”
Chairman Chung said, “I will humbly accept the criticism and criticism inflicted on me and the Korea Football Association and use it as an opportunity to stand up again as a better organization. I bow my head and apologize once again for causing great concern to the people of soccer fans.” finished the statement.