"Why are you trying to tear it apart?" Football community's backlash is 'blatantly' ignored as rules are changed... Football Association president election could be postponed until March next year

*This content was translated by AI.

The regulations of the Korean Sports Council and its member sports associations, which required the election of a successor president within 60 days in case of a vacancy, have been revised. It is now possible to postpone the election for up to 240 days from the current 60-day limit. Rather than voices from the existing football community protesting "Why are you trying to tear apart the articles of association," there is growing support for the vision of K-Football Innovation Committee and others to elect a 'proper' president without being rushed by time.

The Korean Sports Council announced on the 23rd that it approved an agenda item to extend the deadline for electing a president and expand the scope of duties for the acting president through a written resolution at its 17th board meeting. The board meeting was held over two days starting from the 21st. Accordingly, in the event of a vacancy among member sports association heads, the deadline for selecting a successor can be extended to a maximum of 240 days. Additionally, regulations were revised to allow the acting president to convene general assemblies or board meetings necessary for the presidential election process. Under existing regulations, the acting president could not handle matters such as policy shifts or personnel changes that went beyond maintaining the status quo.

These are also the revised provisions that will be critically applied to the next presidential election of the Korea Football Association (KFA). The KFA entered a state of presidential vacancy after Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) submitted his resignation letter on the 7th. Amid strong voices for change in the football community, time was the issue. Under regulations, if Nam Eun (Chairman) with a term of one year or more is vacated, an election must be held within 60 days. There were also strong calls for changing the method where only a limited number of people, up to 300, hold voting rights to elect the president. For example, during last year's 55th presidential election of Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman), Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) succeeded in his fourth term with an overwhelming 85.6% support out of 192 electors, despite fierce public criticism.

In response, the football community, including the K-Football Innovation Committee, proposed changing the 60th-day deadline regulation and altering the election method to be closer to a direct vote, arguing that a 'proper' presidential election must be held. In line with this, the Korean Sports Council, as the superior organization, passed an amendment to its articles of association on the 16th to increase the number of electors from about 2,000 to around 90,000. Sports associations under the Sports Council, including the Football Association, are now in a situation where they must revise regulations centered on 'expanding the electorate.' Although the revised provisions will take effect from 2028, an 'early application' is also possible through consultation with the Sports Council if necessary. This was intended with the immediate need to elect the next president of the Football Association in mind.

Furthermore, the regulation that required the election of a successor president within 60 days has been modified. While maintaining the existing regulations, a clause was added allowing the extension of the election deadline by up to six months (in increments of 60 days) through a resolution of the Sports Council board in unavoidable cases. Thanks to this, the Korea Football Association now has the conditions to elect its next president after thoroughly reforming the election method, including expanding the electorate, without being rushed by time. If only passed by the Sports Council board, the presidential election can be postponed until March next year.

The existing voices of backlash from the football community regarding the presidential election have become virtually meaningless. For instance, Seo Gang-il, president of the Jeonbuk Football Association, stated in an interview with KBS, "We must hold a by-election within 60 days according to the existing articles of association. Why are you trying to tear apart the articles of association? Without a president, the association's administration will be paralyzed. We also need to compete in the Asian Games and September A-matches. How can we appoint a coach without Ha Neun-de (Chairman)?" He argued that the next presidential election should proceed according to the existing method.

However, the Korean Sports Council and the K-Football Innovation Committee, which seek football reform, are steadily preparing for Korean football reform through 'blatant' regulation changes. Park Ji-sung, chairman of the K-Football Innovation Committee, also stated, "Everyone agrees that it must be done as urgently as possible," while emphasizing, "It is most important to elect a president in an environment where many people can recognize them, rather than rushing to hold an election without proper preparation." Ultimately, the key is to elect a proper president in a proper manner without being rushed by time.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.