"Storm? Let it pass." After FIFA, AFC... Will Chairman Chung Mong-gyu gain momentum?
"Storm? Let it pass." After FIFA, AFC... Will Chairman Chung Mong-gyu gain momentum?
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Following the FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) seems to be giving Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, a formal boost this time.
"Korea is not a small country in Asia, it is a very big part of soccer," AFC Chairman Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Khalifa said at the "AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023" held at Kyung Hee University Peace Hall in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul on the 29th. "I don't think it would have been possible without all of our support."
"South Korea is ranked first in the group of the third qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup in Asia, and we need to focus on how we can get better (from here)," Salman said in a meeting with reporters.
Noteworthy is his remarks on support for the KFA. "The KFA has been stable not only in Korea but also in East Asia. We cannot blame anyone. Now is the time to look to the future. We have to let the weather pass and keep moving forward," Salman said.
Pointing to the administrative autonomy of the Korea Football Association, Chairman Salman made a supportive statement that even if there is confusion, "we must move forward."
On the previous day, FIFA President Gianni Infantino drew attention by making a statement to Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, saying, "The Korea Football Association is operating well without any problems and needs autonomy. All decisions, including the national team coach, are clearly the right to decide by the Korea Football Association."
Infantino arrived in Korea on the 28th and visited the Korea Football Association office separately to reunite with Chung Mong-gyu.
At the meeting, Chairman Chung Mong-gyu reportedly told Infantino about all the recent controversies surrounding the Korea Football Association.
The Korea Football Association, which caused a huge controversy in administration and operation, including the surprise pardon of 100 corrupt soccer players, including match manipulators, has recently been criticized by the National Assembly for the controversy over the preferential treatment of the appointment of national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
The Korea Football Association appointed Hong Myung-bo as its successor to former national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann in July. In the process, Hong was embroiled in a controversy over preferential treatment after it was revealed that he only met with Lee Im-saeng, technical director of the Korea Football Association, and took the helm at the town hall, not through formal appointment procedures. Hong Myung-bo, director Lee Im-saeng and chairman Chung Mong-gyu all attended the National Assembly questioning as witnesses.
Chairman Chung Mong-kyu told reporters the day before, "I explained it well (to Infantino)," adding, "I also reported a lot to FIFA about the appointment of coach (Hong Myung-bo), but he said, 'I don't understand well.' So I explained it as it is, and he said, 'Isn't it the responsibility of the head of the Korea Football Association after all?'"
In the process, there were also suspicions about exactly what the word "responsibility" meant. Some suggested that "responsibility" should be interpreted as "authority."
Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, who delivered Infantino's remarks, mentioned the parliamentary audit again, saying, "It seems like you are looking at it under a microscope. From a broader perspective, the National Power Enhancement Committee recommended it and appointed him according to the rules."
Meanwhile, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yoo In-chon said through a national audit, "The final announcement of the Korea Football Association's audit, which was scheduled for the end of October, is expected to be delayed." 스포츠토토