FIFA, AFC seek details on Korea's football reform committee, warn against outside interference
The global and regional governing federations requested information about the panel, co-chaired by former national team captain Park Ji-sung.
Park Ji-sung, co-chair of KFA's innovation committee, speaks during the panel's fourth meeting at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, in Jongno District, central Seoul, on July 27.
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FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have asked the governing body of Korean football for a detailed account of discussions on an ad hoc advisory panel formed last month to overhaul malpractice in the country's sport.
“FIFA and the AFC jointly sent an official letter on Friday,” a Korea Football Association (KFA) representative said on Tuesday. “They asked us to provide details of what the K-Football Innovation Committee has discussed so far.”
The representative said FIFA “regularly monitors” developments in Korean football.
“FIFA appears to want a clearer picture of what is actually happening within the committee and how that compares with reports in the Korean media,” the representative said. “The letter also cited FIFA rules that allow sanctions if a third party improperly interferes with the KFA’s independence.”
Co-chaired by former national team captain Park Ji-sung, who is also a member of a FIFA committee, the Korean panel has discussed key initiatives designed to strengthen the future competitiveness of Korean football, notably after public criticism of the Taeguk Warriors' poor FIFA World Cup 2026 performance.
The association is also under fire after JTBC, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, reported earlier in the month that the association allegedly provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees on “multiple occasions” ahead of national team matches in 2011.
The agenda includes youth player development and the introduction of advanced technology systems.
The committee, however, has repeatedly stressed the need to protect the federation's from government interference or intervention.
“The KFA’s independence is a value and commitment that must be protected,” the committee has said. “The government cannot interfere in the association’s affairs beyond the scope prescribed by law.”
The KFA plans to compile an objective account of the committee’s discussions and submit the information to FIFA and the AFC.
BY PARK LIN [[email protected]]
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
