The Korea Football Association (KFA) came forward and concluded that there was no misjudgment in the Anyang-Gwangju match, ending the controversy over the decision.
Some claimed that a misjudgment occurred in the 21st round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' between Jan Yang and Gwangju held at Anyang Stadium on the 28th of last month. As of the week of the first half, referee Lee Dong-joon, who oversaw the game, voiced his misjudgment in the scene where Anyang coach and Anyang playmaker Matheus left one after another and Kim Un fell near the penalty box in the second half.
Anyang coach Yoo Byung-hoon, the head of the team, publicly complained about the decision after a 1-2 loss. "Respect the referee, but the (judgment) problem has been repeated in the last three games. "I felt sorry to tell the players to respect the referee." "There were many unreasonable cuts in the flow of the game. Understandably if only one game is the case, but this situation is happening several games in a row", suspecting a biased judgment.
At the press conference, 'revenge decision' appeared as a keyword. Anyang Mayor Choi Dae-ho, the owner of Anyang, said on the 20th of last month "We can no longer remain silent about the unfair refereeing decisions that have occurred repeatedly in Anyang's various games recently. Beyond the simple misjudgment, serious errors in judgment have accumulated at the level that determines the flow of the game and determines the outcome." After being fined 10 million won by the Korean Professional Football Federation for slander and honorary mistakes in the K-League, the question was raised whether Anyang is being retaliated by the decision. Director Yoo did not vaguely affirm or deny "It depends on how you think it".
Choi also reportedly asked the federation officials to explain the decision after the game. The referees reportedly left with umbrellas in preparation for any accidents that may occur without any protection from the club. The federation asked the Anyang club for a report on the manager's remarks at the press conference. Based on the report of the Gyeonggi supervisor and the report, it plans to decide whether to refer him to the reward and punishment committee.
Five days after the game, the conclusion of the decision was made. On the 2nd, KFA launched a new video content 'VARON: Re-view of the decision (hereinafter VARON)' that provides accurate and objective commentary on major decision issues that occurred during the game. The KFA explained the plan's intention, saying, 'The purpose is to make it easier to convey the judgment criteria and application cases on the spot to fans and to enhance the understanding of the judgment by the club, the media, and fans.
The first case covered by 'VAR ON' is the Anyang-Gwangju match. Yoo Byung-sup, a full-time referee instructor, carefully analyzed the three scenes that were controversial among fans one by one. First of all, instructor Yoo commented on the collision situation that triggered coach Joo Hyun-jae's exit. Judge Lee Dong-joon declared the foul after seeing a pooling foul in which Anyang Thomas pulled (the uniform) to block Choi Kyung-rok's movement in Gwangju. Officials in the Anyang technical area complained about why Anyang Kim Jung-hyun's tackle, which was followed shortly after, was a foul or a fair tackle, and the problem began. In this situation, Anyang team officials who remain in the technical area will be forced to take disciplinary action once they openly protest the referee's decision. He will be sent off with a warning in the second inning for protesting the coach's continued decision. FIFA clearly distinguishes team executives, such as coaches and coaches, who remain in the technical area from (protesting) in the technical area to openly express dissatisfaction or protest against the referee's decision as warning and sending off. The current coach Joo is a warning, and if he protests off the field, he is immediately dismissed. This was confirmed by the referee as the correct zingeing action."
The explanation of Matheus' exit in the extra time of the first half was followed. "Gwangju Jung Ji-hoon and Anyang Lee Tae-hee were challenging each other for ball possession, and Anyang Mateus, who was next to them, tried to step on Jung Ji-hoon with his right foot, but failed. Then, while Choi Kyung-rok tries to challenge the ball again, Matheus, who was next to him, tries to make a strong contact. The act of attempting this strong contact is a retaliatory act that greatly jeopardizes Choi Kyung-rok's safety, and this is classified as a sent-off foul by FIFA, whether it is contact or not. The judging committee also decided that this was a clear gross foul, and that the dismissal was appropriate."
Regarding the scene where Kim Un fell after Cho Sung-kwon's tackle at the end of the second half, Yoo said, "It was a very tight situation whether it was inside or outside the penalty box. Gwangju Cho Sung-kwon made a very normal pair tackle, and Kim Un fell as he tried to contact Cho Sung-kwon's feet as if he had been fouled. The referee ruled that the penalty was not exactly a penalty at a good angle and close range." It was then added that the meeting of the judging committee concluded that it was a better decision to give Kim Un a warning by simulation.
Lecturer Yoo concluded "In three situations, the referee's decision was extremely fair. The referee's ability was very good, the final decision was made at a meeting of the judging committee." Moon Jin-hee, chairman of the KFA Judgment Committee, said "This content planning is actually a very burdensome decision for the referee. However, I thought it was urgent to guide soccer officials and fans to the eyes of experts and to build a culture of mutual trust by improving their understanding"We will continue to operate judgment evaluation panel meetings more transparently and increase the accuracy of judgment through education." he said.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
