Son Heung-min's Criticism of 'Sangam Grass' Controversy... FC Seoul's Lingard Selected as National Assembly Audit Witness

No Punishment for Witnesses Who Fail to Appear at National Assembly Audit

As controversy continues over the poor condition of the turf at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Jesse Lingard, a star player from the English Premier League (EPL) currently playing for K League 1's FC Seoul, has been selected as a witness for the National Assembly's audit.

The National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee announced on the 8th that it sent a summons to Lingard to appear as a witness at the Seoul City audit scheduled for the 15th at Seoul City Hall. Assemblyman Wi Seong-gon of the Democratic Party of Korea requested Lingard as a witness to hear his opinion regarding the turf condition at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, the turf condition has become a major controversy in the football community. Last month, a complaint from a football fan requesting an audit of the turf management at the World Cup Stadium by the Seoul Facilities Corporation was submitted to the National Petition System.

Football players have also repeatedly criticized the turf condition at the stadium. Lingard pointed out on the 29th of last month, after a home match in the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 Round 32, that "the turf condition is serious." He criticized, "In the EPL, the ground is good, so you don't have to think about controlling the ball carefully. But here, before thinking about the next play, you have to focus on controlling the ball well first."

Son Heung-min, captain of the national football team, also pointed out the turf condition after the World Cup regional qualifier against Palestine on the 5th of last month, saying, "There are many technically skilled players, but there were difficulties in ball control and dribbling."

However, it is uncertain whether Lingard, as a witness, will actually attend the audit. The Seoul City audit is scheduled for the 15th of this month, which falls within the October A-match period, and FC Seoul, Lingard's team, has an away match against Gangwon FC on the 20th. Also, according to the Act on Testimony and Appraisal in the National Assembly, penalties for non-attendance apply only to witnesses and appraisers. Witnesses have no obligation to attend, nor are there penalties for non-attendance.

Some voices question whether it is appropriate to call Lingard as a witness. Although Lingard plays in the Korean professional football league and has expressed opinions about the turf after matches, it is argued that this is not sufficient reason to consider him an appropriate witness.