An employee of the Korea Football Association (KFA) has been disciplined for engaging in card games with players during the training period leading up to the Asian Cup 2023.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has disciplined a staff member for participating in card games with players. This individual was responsible for overseeing the activities of the players during their participation in the Asian Cup 2023, but violated the team’s disciplinary regulations.
This incident sparked controversy within the Korean national team during the Asian Cup 2023 campaign. A group of players engaged in card games and gambling using chips. Upon the disclosure of this information, the KFA faced considerable criticism and promptly initiated an investigation.
The Korea Football Association considers this activity merely as entertainment for the players, not to the extent of gambling behavior. The amount of money each player spent on this activity did not exceed 50,000 won.
Korean players used this activity for amusement. Players who lost would contribute money to go shopping for the entire team. However, the employee of the KFA, tasked with supervising and controlling the activities of the members, should not have participated alongside them.
“Many instances were merely small bets, such as paying for drinks during board games or Play Station sessions in the waiting room. This is distinct from gambling,” explained a representative of the KFA.
“Throughout the tournament, we provided internal guidelines for team staff to minimize interaction with players and to focus on the tournament as much as possible,” added the KFA representative regarding the disciplinary action taken against the employee involved in card games with players.
Despite the conclusion drawn by the KFA, the media and fans have expressed mixed reactions to the incident. Previously, the Korean national team faced criticism due to internal discord.
Team captain Son Heung-min engaged in a physical altercation with Lee Kang-in during a table tennis match, causing disruption and affecting team members. Subsequently, these two players publicly reconciled.
The performance of the Korean national team at the Asian Cup 2023 fell short of expectations. They were eliminated in the semifinals after a defeat to Jordan. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann was dismissed, and Hwang Sun-hong was appointed interim manager to lead the team against Thailand in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers this March.