*This content was translated by AI.
"Manager Lee Jeong-hyo is not wrong in his words. However, there are many practical difficulties."
On the 1st, during the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 Round 20 match between Chungbuk Cheongju and Suwon Samsung at Cheongju Stadium, controversy arose when a late equalizer by Suwon was disallowed due to a foul. After the match, Lee Jeong-hyo, manager of Suwon Samsung, not only addressed the game itself but also pointed out the poor facilities at Cheongju Stadium.
At that time, Manager Lee made serious remarks emphasizing the need for facility improvements to ensure the safety of players and match operation staff, citing areas such as rest spaces without air conditioning.
Chungbuk Cheongju took the manager's concerns seriously. A Chungbuk Cheongju official told StarNews on the 3rd, "It is true that there are many shortcomings compared to K League stadium standards." They added, "He mentioned air conditioning; in fact, there is no air conditioning in the broadcast room either. It is also correct that he said young ball boys and part-time workers have no proper space to rest."
However, Chungbuk Cheongju explained that they did not neglect the facility issues despite being aware of them.
The biggest problem is that Cheongju Stadium, built in 1965, has aged significantly. Moreover, as Chungbuk Cheongju does not own the stadium but merely rents it, there are limits to their ability to modify spaces or install cooling facilities on their own.
Inside the stadium, various sports organizations and associations besides Chungbuk Cheongju are tenants. With almost no spare space available, securing separate rest rooms for players and operation staff on match days is not easy. The same reason explains why there is no dedicated visiting team manager's room.
A club official explained, "All spaces used by other sports associations within the stadium are occupied, leaving no spare room." They added, "During the Suwon match, Manager Lee Jeong-hyo asked if we had a manager's room, so we quickly contacted the Disabled Football Association. After asking if they could allow us to use their space, we were provided with a manager's room."
They continued, "We would naturally like to prepare necessary facilities if we had the space. However, there are too many organizations housed in the stadium." They lamented, "In reality, we have to request other sports associations to lend us space even just for match days, which is also not an easy task."
This is not a problem unique to Chungbuk Cheongju. Citizen clubs that share older multi-purpose stadiums with various sports organizations find it difficult to secure sufficient space for players and match operations. There are also many stadiums, like those without separate manager's rooms as seen in Chungbuk Cheongju.
Another citizen club official, Mr. A, told StarNews that they face similar difficulties to Chungbuk Cheongju in securing space and installing facilities.
There are also practical constraints on installing cooling facilities. A Chungbuk Cheongju official stated, "Last year, we tried to install air conditioning in the broadcast room, but due to the age of the stadium, there were issues with power capacity." The situation is such that even placing enough fans in each space is difficult, not just air conditioners.
However, the club is not standing idle. Chungbuk Cheongju officials are taking action, such as personally carrying heavy ice water to various spaces on match days, to alleviate the heat for players and operation staff as much as possible.
The official said, "We acknowledge that the stadium needs overall improvement," but emphasized, "As we also rent the stadium, there are many practical difficulties. Nevertheless, we will do our best within the scope of what we can do."
They added, "I believe Manager Lee Jeong-hyo made those remarks with the goal of developing both the club and the stadium facilities."
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*This content was translated by AI.
