"Why should players bear the burden of KIMPO FC's 8 billion won embezzlement?" Players Association demands audits of all clubs; League says it is "watching investigation results, not merely observing"

*This content was translated by AI.

In response to an embezzlement case involving approximately 8 billion won at KIMPO FC in the K League 2, the Korea Professional Football Players Association (KPFA) has demanded audits of all clubs. The Korea Professional Football League (KPFL) stated it will handle the matter according to regulations after monitoring the results of the investigation.

Through a statement released on the 18th, the Players Association strongly criticized the incident, stating, "This case is not merely an individual deviation but a representative example revealing long-term accumulated operational deficiencies in clubs and loopholes in the coaching system."

It was confirmed that one employee responsible for managing financial accounts at KIMPO FC embezzled approximately 8.2 billion won of club funds and has been arrested and transferred for prosecution. Currently, police are tracking the flow and usage of the misappropriated funds while intensively investigating whether accomplices existed or if there were instructions from superiors.

The Players Association pointed out that the financial deterioration caused by such large-scale embezzlement is being entirely shifted onto players. The association stated, "Burden arising from poor financial management of clubs should not be passed on to players." It further added, "If a club attempts to resolve issues by cutting salaries of injured players or restructuring the team in a situation where billions of won in club funds have disappeared, it cannot be considered normal operation."

To prevent recurrence, the Players Association formally requested three measures from the League: (1) special external accounting audits for all K League clubs, (2) establishment of a continuous financial monitoring system, and (3) participation of the Players Association in processes related to financial management and institutional improvements.

In response, the League clarified that it is not remaining passive. According to NEWSIS and NEWS1, the League stated, "The League and each club are separate legal entities; the structure does not allow the League to directly intervene in or assume responsibility for individual clubs' financial or personnel management."

It further added, "We are not neglecting the matter but are preparing measures according to regulations while monitoring ongoing audits and investigation results."

The League plans that once official results from police investigations and KIMPO City's internal audit are released, it will confirm violations such as unpaid player wages and impose disciplinary actions and corrective measures under the "Club Licensing Regulations."

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*This content was translated by AI.