FIFA warns Korean football body of possible sanctions due to investigation by sports ministry

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FIFA warns Korean football body of possible sanctions due to investigation by sports ministry

Published: 03 Oct. 2024, 11:58 Updated: 03 Oct. 2024, 16:17

PAIK JI-HWAN
paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr

The sign outside the KFA headquarters in Seoul [YONHAP]

FIFA has warned the KFA of possible sanctions for violating its obligation to operate independently, in light of an ongoing probe by the sports ministry.

A FIFA official confirmed to Yonhap News Agency on Thursday that the global football body had sent a letter to the KFA, referring the Korean member association to "its statutory obligation to manage its affairs independently and to ensure that its own affairs are not unduly influenced by any third parties."

This was in reference to Article 14, Paragraph 1 (i) of the FIFA Statutes, in conjunction with Article 19, Paragraph 1, which states, "Each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties."

The letter, dated Sept. 29, was signed by Kenny Jean-Marie, FIFA's chief member associations officer, and Vahid Kardany, general secretary for member associations at the Asian Football Confederation.

The letter also warned that violation of these obligations may lead to sanctions provided for in the FIFA Statutes, "even if the third-party influence is not the fault of the member association concerned."

Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday that the KFA breached its rules in the appointment process of current Korean national team manager Hong Myung-bo and his predecessor, Jurgen Klinsmann, by appointing the two without the proper involvement of the National Team Committee.

The ministry held a briefing at the Government Complex in central Seoul regarding its investigation into the KFA’s operations and whether the appointment procedures for Hong and Klinsmann were fair.

The appointment of Hong has drawn criticism from Korean football fans since it was announced on July 7, as KFA Technical Director Lee Lim-saeng allegedly bypassed the National Team Committee, which is responsible for selecting a national team manager, to appoint Hong on his own.

Inspector General Choi Hyun-joon from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismspeaks speaks during a briefing at Government Complex Seoul in central Seoul on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Inspector General Choi Hyun-joon said Wednesday that technical director Lee has no right to recommend manager candidates, as he is not a member of the National Team Committee. However, he was involved in the appointment process because KFA President Chung Mong-gyu instructed him to take charge.

On Sept. 24, Hong, KFA President Chung, and other KFA officials stood before the National Assembly's committee on sports, as lawmakers grilled them about the process.

The sports ministry is finalizing its investigation and is scheduled to recommend disciplinary steps against relevant KFA officials at the end of October.

During the media briefing announcing the ministry's findings, Choi said, "The independence of the KFA must be respected. We expect the KFA to review the situation and make its own decision from the perspective of public opinion and common sense."

In 2015, FIFA suspended the Kuwait Football Association for failing to making changes to a sports law designed to increase the government's influence within the football body. The country's national teams were banned from participating in matches.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN, YONHAP [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]