[LETTERS TO THE EDITOR]Red Devils up in arms

First of all, I would like to congratulate Korea’s Olympic soccer team on a job well done. They clinched a ticket to Athens.
But the Korea Football Association has failed to support its team by creating controversy with insensitive comments toward soccer fans and irresponsible administration.
During the Olympic team’s away match versus China on May 1, a Chinese fan threw a metal bolt at one of the woman Red Devil members, striking her in the head. But the Korea Football Association did not file a complain with its Chinese counterpart or the Asian Football Confederation, but rather warned Red Devil members to refrain from traveling to China because it would not be able to support overseas rooting nor ensure the safety of the members.
Only after a fierce reaction from soccer fans did the association explain that it meant it would support overseas rooting after it could provide safe conditions.
The association also showed many shortcomings in handling the resignation of former head coach Humberto Coelho. The association’s technical committee tried to run away from its responsibility. Again, angry soccer fans protested, forcing the association to make massive changes of committee members.
The Red Devils ask the following: Pay more attention to the fans’ safety at overseas matches; seek an apology from the Chinese association; provide a clear answer about the recent administrative blunders, and publicize its standards in recruiting a new head coach.

by Lee Seung-min