[Exclusive] 2002 Juyuk Players Given Free Pass?… Controversy Over 'Emperor Privileges' for P-Level Football Coach Licenses

Soccer players training scene (unrelated to the article content)
Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The football community is in turmoil over controversy surrounding "emperor privileges" in the acquisition process of the 'P-level license,' the highest grade of coaching certification that our football coaches can obtain. A regulation has been introduced allowing certain individuals, including key figures who played a pivotal role in the 'Top 4 legend' of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, to be easily issued the license even if they do not meet the qualifications, drawing criticism for being unfair.

According to this paper's investigation and tips on the 6th, the Korea Football Association (KFA) is expected to announce the successful candidates for the P-level license as early as this week. The association received applications from coaches requiring the P-level license and conducted training sessions from March to October. Coaches who attended the training underwent a total of nine sessions and took practical, theoretical, presentation, and interview exams, as well as submitted a thesis. Subsequently, the association held a selection committee meeting on the 28th of last month to choose the successful candidates.

The P-level license is the highest level of football coaching certification available domestically. The levels progress from D (lowest), to C, B, A, and then P. From the P-level, coaches can manage professional football teams in Korea and serve as head coaches or assistants for national teams. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also recognizes the competence of P-level holders, allowing them to coach top-tier league teams and national teams across Asia.

However, a problematic clause has been added to the P-level license issuance regulations stating that among applicants who have played more than 50 matches in official national team games (A matches), contributed to the nation, and have recognized top-level experience, two individuals can be granted the license immediately. The vague criteria such as 'national contribution' have sparked disputes over fairness, and the association's failure to properly disclose this regulation has intensified the controversy.

A football industry insider said, "The 50 A-match game rule was not present when applications were first accepted but was suddenly introduced by the association during the training sessions." This means the association created the regulation arbitrarily without prior explanation. "Because of this, some coaches attending the training sessions complained, asking if there are special people who have contributed to the nation through football. There is concern about who among the coaches who earnestly participated in the selection process might be disadvantaged." The association also did not disclose this regulation in the 'Next Year's P-level Training Online Briefing' materials posted on its website in September.

Because of this, suspicion among coaches is growing that the association secretly created the regulation to grant 'privileges' to certain individuals. There are talks that this was effectively designed to easily issue P-level licenses to the key figures and celebrities from the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Top 4 team.

On June 2nd, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul, during the ceremony before the friendly match between Korea and Brazil, Ahn Jung-hwan is presenting a bouquet to Son Heung-min for receiving the Blue Dragon Order of Sports Merit.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The list of successful candidates expected to be announced this week reportedly includes football commentator Ahn Jung-hwan and Cha Du-ri, head of youth development at FC Seoul. Additionally, there are rumors that a first-division professional football league coach, referred to as Mr. A, who urgently needed the P-level license, pressured the association through a member of the National Assembly from the club's home district, causing shock. This reflects significant distrust within the football community regarding the P-level license issuance process.

There is also evidence suggesting the association conducted preparatory work to grant the P-level license to specific individuals, further fueling the controversy. The association recently sent an email to the AFC inquiring whether it could increase the number of P-level licensees from the existing 24 to 25 and is awaiting a response. Regarding these suspicions, a KFA official told this paper, "There is a quota (TO) for each quarter in the P-level selection. This regulation does not consume the quota from other quarters but allows for two additional selections separately." He added, "The current P-level selection is still under internal review, so it is difficult to confirm the exact details at this time."