Amid the controversy over the Korea Football Association’s ‘snatch pardon’, Vice Chairman Lee Young-pyo, Lee Dong-guk, and Social Contribution Chairman Cho Won-hee announced that they would resign their positions with an apology.
On the 28th of last month, the association announced its decision to pardon 100 soccer players under disciplinary action through the second board meeting. They were former and incumbent players, coaches, referees, and group executives who committed various misconduct, including 48 people who were involved in match-fixing in professional football in 2011.
The surprise pardon, which took place about an hour before the start of the match against Uruguay, created a lot of controversy. Criticism that it is a snatch amnesty has grown. There was also a lack of explanation as to whether the achievements of the World Cup lead to the amnesty of the offender. In addition, only the title of match-fixing was presented, and the list of the remaining 52 people subject to pardon was not disclosed.
As opposition from the media and fans intensified, the association withdrew. A temporary board meeting was held and the pardon decision was withdrawn within three days. Chairman Chung Mong-gyu said, “As a result, it was a thoughtless judgment,” and bowed his head, saying, “I bow my head and apologize for causing great concern to soccer fans and the public.”
The decision to pardon was not over with withdrawal. A lot of criticism was also directed at Vice Chairman Lee Young-pyo, Lee Dong-guk, and Chairman Jo Won-hee, who had no intention of opposing the association’s decision. In particular, since he was from Gyeonggi-do, it was shocking that he tolerated an amnesty that included match fixing.
In the end, the three delivered an apology and resignation at the same time. First, Vice Chairman Lee Young-pyo said through his social network service (SNS) in the late afternoon of the 3rd, “I take responsibility for not blocking the passage of the board of directors related to the association’s disciplinary pardon and resign from the position of vice president.” It reminds me once again of the ordinary fact that it is made through
He said, “As a member of the association, I feel with a heavy heart all the reprimands from soccer fans,” and “I feel sorry for not being able to play the role of vice president sufficiently.”
Vice Chairman Lee Dong-guk also said, “I apologize for causing concern to fans, colleagues, seniors and juniors, and officials who love soccer more than anyone else.”
He said, “I became vice president in February of this year.” At the same time, he expressed his intention to resign, saying, “I feel a sense of responsibility for not being able to stop him by telling me his experience as a Gyeonggi-doer with confidence.”
Chairman Cho Won-hee also said, “I am sorry that this happened not long after I served as the chairman of the Social Contribution Committee,” and “I sincerely apologize for hurting fans who love soccer as one of the people on the board at the time.” 온라인카지노
He said, “I was ashamed of this work and was greatly disappointed in my lack of self-image.”
Finally, Jo Won-hee bowed his head, saying, “Once again, I am sorry for causing concern to fans who love soccer.”