Lingard too busy to appear at audit over Seoul World Cup Stadium pitch

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Lingard too busy to appear at audit over Seoul World Cup Stadium pitch

Published: 13 Oct. 2024, 14:57 Updated: 13 Oct. 2024, 17:56

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

FC Seoul midfielder Jesse Lingard celebrates scoring during a K League 1 match against Gangwon FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on June 26. [NEWS1]

FC Seoul midfielder Jesse Lingard has decided not to appear before a parliamentary audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday to discuss the alleged mismanagement of the Seoul World Cup Stadium pitch, according to a report from Yonhap News Agency on Saturday.

Lingard previously received a call from the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee to appear before the audit as a testifier after the Seoul World Cup Stadium drew criticism from players for its poor quality.

The decision to summon him followed lawmaker Wi Seong-gon's call to hear players’ opinions regarding the pitch.

But a K League official quoted by Yonhap said that the English midfielder cannot appear due to his training and game schedule.

There is no penalty for testifiers who do not appear, although witnesses who fail to appear before the National Assembly without a valid reason face a potential three-year sentence or a fine ranging from 10 to 30 million won ($7,400 to $22,100).

The Seoul World Cup Stadium has faced scrutiny after weather conditions and the hosting of multiple concerts have seemingly left the pitch in poor shape.

Korean national team captain Son Heung-min expressed concerns after the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Palestine last month, stating that the pitch quality directly affects players' performance and risk of injury. Lingard also voiced his concerns after a K League match against Suwon FC on Sept. 29, stressing the importance of playing on a well-maintained field.

Due to concerns over the pitch quality, the Korea Football Association opted to move the 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday between Korea and Iraq, originally scheduled for Seoul World Cup Stadium, to Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi.

FC Seoul, meanwhile, still have home games to play on their pitch through the end of the 2024 K League 1 regular season in November.

Whether the capital side is considering playing home games at a different venue remains unclear. The club could not be reached for comment as of press time Sunday.

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