Rep. Kang Yoo-jung'received a reply from FIFA"

Oct 25, 2024

Source=Democratic Party Rep. Kang Yoo-jung

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 to FIFA regarding the official letter sent to the Korea Football Association (KFA), and I received a reply around 10 p.m. on the 24th.'

Kang sent an e-mail to the FIFA president Marie Kenny, who sent an official letter to the Korea Football Association. The question Kang sent to FIFA is. "The recent questioning by the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on September 24, 2024, which was held at the strong demand of Korean soccer fans, and the results of the audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed that the Korea Football Association has violated its own articles of association. Does FIFA determine that the Korean National Assembly and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's request for correction of violations of the Korea Football Association's own regulations contradicts Article 14 (1) and Article 19 (1) of the FIFA Regulations? If the National Assembly or the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism can request correction according to the relevant laws and regulations, to what extent can the correction request be made within the scope of not conflict with the provisions of the FIFA articles of association? It was ".

FIFA recognizes that the Korean government conducts an audit to ensure good governance in Korean soccer. We encourage transparency, but we usually do basic communication channels directly with member associations to maintain the autonomy of FIFA member associations. However, the relevant information provided by the Korea Football Association (KFA) is ready to be reviewed at any time. If the Korean government has any specific matters, I recommend that you share them with the KFA and then the KFA communicates them to FIFA through the official channel" he replied.

Kang then said, "Article 19 (2) of the FIFA Articles of Incorporation states that the articles of association should stipulate democratic procedures that ensure full independence of elections or appointments. However, as a result of checking the articles of association of the Korea Football Association this time, it is said that the president of the Korea Football Association can actually do as he pleases with the electors and the Election Commission. If you are a sole candidate, 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 FIFA's articles of association? What is the basis for that?," he queried. FIFA is thus committed to ensuring that the articles of association of members are in line with FIFA's principles of good governance and legal requirements. Regarding the election process mentioned in your letter, I would like to inform you that FIFA and AFC have begun discussions with the KFA from December 2023 to review the relevant provisions and meet FIFA standardssend a reply saying "

However, it is highly likely that the discussions to match 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 'Estitution of the term limit.'" FIFA recommended the deletion and correction of the 'Regulations for Exception Examination of Restrictions on Term of Appointment' at a meeting with KFA during last year's visit to Korea.

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