"Very regrettable," Head Coach Hong Myung-bo firmly denies corporate card controversy, stating "Used within designated purpose and limit"

*This content was translated by AI.

Former South Korean national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo refuted some media reports claiming he used a corporate card on public holidays or near his home during his tenure, stating "It is not true."

Head Coach Hong Myung-bo issued a rebuttal statement on the 29th, clarifying that "the content of the article stating that I used a corporate card for about 14 million won at restaurants within Bundang-gu, where my residence was located, during my two-year tenure as head coach of the national team, is partially inconsistent with the facts."

Coach Hong explained, "The corporate card was used only within the designated purpose and limit in accordance with the Korea Football Association (KFA) regulations. All usage records were documented and settled with the association," adding that "I have never received any criticism or request for correction regarding inappropriate use of the corporate card during my tenure."

Regarding the claim that Hong Myung-bo used a corporate card 31 times on public holidays over the past two years, Coach Hong emphasized that such usage was unavoidable due to overlaps with K-League schedules held on weekends and the typical announcement date for the Jin Haeng-dwaet-deon (CEO) team roster on Mondays.

Head Coach Hong stated, "One of the main duties of the national team head coach and coaching staff is to directly observe K-League players," explaining that "K-League matches are mostly held on weekends and public holidays, so it is common for coaching staff to visit stadiums on weekends and public holidays to observe and check players and hold meetings."

He continued, "Especially over the past two years, the national team player selection roster was announced on Mondays in most cases, making weekend meetings just before finalizing the roster essential," clarifying that "corporate card usage on weekends or public holidays covered coaching staff meals and business promotion costs incurred during the execution of national team duties."

He also refuted claims about using a corporate card near his home. According to KFA regulations, using a corporate card near one's residence is not permitted unless there are unavoidable circumstances.

Head Coach Hong explained, "Coach Joao Arroso resides in Samjeong-dong, Bundang-gu; coaches Thiago Maia and Nuno Matias (physical coach) reside in Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu; and goalkeeper coach Pedro Coma also resides in Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu." He added, "Therefore, the coaching staff utilized shared offices located in Bundang-gu for meetings and work. Meals were also taken within Bundang-gu."

Coach Hong further stated, "The national football team was convened twice last year at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel located in Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu. We used this hotel as accommodation for the team for the 2025 East Asian Cup and the North American World Cup Asian third qualifying round match against Jordan held in Yongin and Suwon." He argued, "Corporate card usage in Bundang-gu was not personal consumption but a concentrated result of business expenses related to the residence of foreign coaching staff and the convening and operation of the national team."

Reports claiming that a corporate card was used at Hanwoo specialty restaurants, Chinese restaurants, and gukbap (rice soup) shops were also refuted by Head Coach Hong Myung-bo as inconsistent with the facts.

Head Coach Hong stated, "When visiting Hanwoo specialty restaurants or Chinese restaurants privately, I used a personal card. After verifying following the reports, the amount spent on personal cards at these restaurants over the past two years was almost identical to the corporate card amount. This can be proven via card records." He added, "In the case of gukbap shops, personal card usage was even higher. Contrary to reports, I have never eaten alone using a corporate card at a gukbap shop. This can be confirmed through corporate card payment records."

Coach Hong further emphasized, "Regarding the mentioned Chinese restaurant, it is located about one minute (50 meters) walking distance from the shared office meeting room (Pangyo-dong, Bundang-gu), which served as the meeting venue for the national team coaching staff. Since it has private rooms suitable for conducting both meetings and meals together, we continuously used it."

Head Coach Hong stated, "I strictly separated the use of corporate cards and personal cards. It is very regrettable that this report interpreted business usage as personal simply because it was close to my residence, without considering the national team's work environment and the living conditions of the coaching staff." He added, "I am preparing to present this supporting documentation at the hearing. I will provide more detailed explanations by attending the hearing."

Regarding this matter, a football industry official stated, "Even if we failed in the match, we cannot ignore malicious reports that seem to create immoral people," adding, "It is clearly wrong to inflate small amounts for each expense into an annual total, making it appear as though public funds were misused personally."

Meanwhile, Head Coach Hong Myung-bo is scheduled to appear as a witness at the Korea Football Association hearing to be held on the 30th at the National Assembly. Former President Chung Mong-gyu was also reported to attend. However, Lee Im-seong, former KFA technical director who led Hong's appointment, notified that he would not attend the hearing due to his stay abroad. Park Ji-sung, K-Football Innovation Committee chairman, and Lee Young-pyo, K-Football Innovation Committee member, along with three other Do Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman) officials including Seo Gang-il, President of Jeonbuk Football Association, who were adopted as reference witnesses rather than official witnesses, submitted statements explaining their non-attendance.

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

*This content was translated by AI.