'FIFA President Visiting Korea After 7 Years, Meets Chung Mong-gyu Saying "No Issues with Football Association"'

Arrival for AFC Awards Ceremony 2023 Attendance
"Korea Football Association is Being Well Managed," He Stated

Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) (54), visited South Korea for the first time in seven years and made the Korea Football Association (KFA) his first destination. On the 28th, Yonhap News reported that Infantino, who entered the country to attend the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Annual Awards Ceremony held in Korea for the first time, met with Chung Mong-gyu, President of the KFA, and Kim Kwang-guk, CEO of Ulsan HD, which will participate in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup. At this meeting, he received a briefing on the Cheonan Football Center, which is scheduled to be completed next year. FIFA operates the 'FIFA Forward Program' to promote football development in each country’s association. South Korea also received support of 6 million USD (approximately 8.3 billion KRW) for the construction of the Cheonan Football Center.

Monggyu, President of the Korea Football Association (right), is shaking hands with Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), at the Football Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 28th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Infantino’s visit to the KFA is his first since he came to South Korea in 2017 to attend the final of the Under-20 (U-20) World Cup. From the 29th, Infantino will attend the AFC Annual Awards Ceremony held at Kyung Hee University’s Peace Hall and the AFC Secretary General Conference on the 30th at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul.

There is interest in how Infantino’s visit will affect the KFA, which has recently faced difficulties due to audits by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and National Assembly inspections. Last month on the 30th, FIFA drew attention by sending an official letter to the KFA warning that “external interference may result in sanctions.” At a meeting with the press on this day, Infantino defended the KFA, saying, “The Korea Football Association is very well managed. FIFA places great importance on the autonomy of sports.” He also emphasized, “Everything is fine.”

Previously, the association has been embroiled in controversies since last year, including the appointment of coach J?rgen Klinsmann, the withdrawal of pardons related to match-fixing, and the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo this year. Amid growing criticism, the KFA has been continuously criticized through inquiries by the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee and comprehensive government audits. Meanwhile, Infantino will also receive an award at the AFC Awards. The AFC stated via social media, “We pay tribute to FIFA President Infantino, who has made valuable contributions to the development of Asian football, by awarding him the AFC Diamond of Asia.” The 'AFC Diamond of Asia' is an award recognizing and honoring individual efforts for the development of Asian football.