Rep. Kang Yoo-jung of the Democratic Party of Korea released a reply from FIFA at the parliamentary audit site.
During a comprehensive audit of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, which continued until early morning on the 25th, Kang disclosed the full text, saying, “I sent a questionnaire about the official letter sent by FIFA to the Korea Football Association (KFA), and I received a reply around 10 p.m. on the 24th.”
Kang sent an e-mail to Marie Kenny, the president of FIFA, who had sent an official letter to the Korea Football Association. The question Kang sent to FIFA was, “A question on pending issues at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on September 24, 2024 and the result of an audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which were recently held at strong demand from Korean soccer fans, confirmed that the Korea Football Association has violated its own articles of association. Does FIFA judge that the request of the National Assembly and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to correct violations of its own rules is contrary to Article 14 (1) and Article 19 (1) of the FIFA Regulations? If the National Assembly or the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism can make a request for correction according to relevant laws and regulations, to what extent does it not conflict with the provisions of FIFA’s articles of association?”
FIFA said, “We are aware that the Korean government is conducting an audit to ensure good governance of Korean soccer. We encourage transparency, but we usually do basic communication channels directly with FIFA member associations in order to maintain their autonomy. However, we are ready to review the relevant information provided by the Korea Football Association (KFA) at any time. If the Korean government has any specific matters, we recommend that it share them with the KFA and forward them to FIFA through its official channel.”
Kang then asked, “Article 19, Paragraph 2 of the FIFA Articles of Incorporation stipulates that the articles of association shall stipulate democratic procedures to ensure full independence of elections or appointments. However, as a result of confirming the articles of association of the Korea Football Association this time, the president of the Korea Football Association said that neither the Electoral College nor the Election Commission can actually do as he pleases. If you are a sole candidate, it is stipulated that you can be elected without voting through the Election Commission appointed by you. In FIFA’s view, do you think the articles of association of the Korea Football Association conform to the FIFA Articles of Incorporation? What is the basis for this?” FIFA responded by saying, “We remain committed to ensuring that the articles of association of the member associations conform to FIFA’s principles of good governance and legal requirements. Regarding the election process mentioned in your letter, FIFA and AFC have reviewed the relevant provisions of the KFA from December 2023 and have begun discussions to meet FIFA standards.” 안전놀이터
However, it is highly likely that the “discussion to meet FIFA’s standards” mentioned by FIFA will not match the current standards of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Korea Sports Council, which oppose the revision of the articles of association on the abolition of the term limit. FIFA recommended deletion and correction of the “exception screening rules for the term limit” at a meeting with the KFA during last year’s visit to Korea.