Eliminate the ‘complaint window’ and use ‘administrative masters’… The Football Association that changed the game

The Korea Football Association, which drew public ire for its ‘surprise pardon’ for misbehaving footballers, came up with reform plans such as abolishing the executive position and introducing a full-time vice-president system.

Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of the Korea Football Association, held a press conference at the Soccer Hall in Sinmun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 3rd and recruited Kim Jeong-bae (57), former second vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as the new full-time vice chairman. The board of directors was confirmed and announced. Of the 25 board members, 7 are retainers.

At the end of March, ahead of the national team evaluation match against Uruguay, the association held a board of directors meeting and voted to pardon 100 former and incumbent players, coaches, and referees who were disciplined for various irregularities. The list also included 48 of the 50 players who were expelled for participating in match-fixing in 2011, causing fierce opposition from inside and outside the soccer world.

The association hurriedly withdrew the pardon, and on the 4th of last month, all vice-presidents and directors, except for Chairman Chung, resigned, ending the situation.

What stands out in the composition of this board of directors, which has been unpacked after a month of ‘administrative vacuum’, is the abolition of executive positions. In the meantime, the association has appointed a member of the national team as executive director and has been entrusted with the role of a communication window between soccer players and the association administration, but as seen in this situation, it is judged that it has changed to a ‘complaint window’ rather than communication.

Regarding the recruitment of a former public official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as vice chairman, Chairman Chung said, “We decided that it was important to improve the internal organization and raise the association’s administrative power to a higher level through administrative experts.” they do,” he explained.

Excluding vice chairman Kim Sang-geun, the vice presidents were newly appointed, including commentator Han Joon-hee (public relations), former head coach Jang Oe-ryong (technical), Won Young-shin (female) professor emeritus at Yonsei University, and Ha Seok-joo (school soccer) head coach at Ajou University.

Among the subcommittee chairpersons, Haeseong Jeong, chairman of the competition, Michael Müller, chairman of the National Power Enhancement Committee, Limsaeng Lee, chairman of the Technology Development Committee, and Dongwon Seo, the medical chairman, were retained. While Jo Yeon-sang, secretary-general of the Korea Professional Football Federation, remained on the board of directors, 11 new members, 안전놀이터 including former FC Seoul general manager Kang Myung-won, were added.

Chairman Chung said, “We wanted to listen to the voices inside and outside the football world by recruiting talent from various fields in this executive team.” will do,” he said.

He also said, “I thought communication was the biggest theme. The association has recently received a lot of criticism due to the controversy over the amnesty, but now it will be reborn as a complete metamorphosis.”