Korea Football Association Imposes Quasi-Permanent Expulsion on Hwang Uijo... Banned from Playing or Coaching in Korea

The Korea Football Association has imposed a 'quasi-permanent expulsion' on Hwang Uijo (Alanyaspor), who was sentenced to prison by the court on charges of illegal filming.

On the 22nd, the association issued a statement saying, "We inform you that Hwang Uijo is currently under a de facto 'quasi-permanent expulsion' by the Korea Football Association, which means he is prohibited from engaging in any football-related activities, such as player, coach, or referee, within Korea."

However, the association clarified that Hwang Uijo's overseas activities do not fall under the association's disciplinary jurisdiction.

Soccer player Hwang Ui-jo is responding to reporters' questions as he leaves the court after receiving a suspended prison sentence in the second trial for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (filming using cameras, etc.) at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 4th.
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the regulations of the association and the Korea Sports Council Sports Fairness Committee, only players registered in the association's registration system and the Korea Sports Council's athlete registration system can be subject to disciplinary action under the association and council rules. As Hwang Uijo is registered with an overseas league (Turkish S?per Lig) and not affiliated with the Korea Football Association under FIFA's registration regulations, disciplinary action is not possible.

The association emphasized, "If Hwang Uijo attempts to register in the future as a coach or player for a team under the association, he will be disqualified from registration according to the regulations," adding, "For the period specified in the regulations, he cannot be registered as a player or coach, nor can he be called up to the national team."

The association cited these association and Korea Sports Council regulations, as well as FIFA provisions, as grounds for its actions and rebutted claims that the association's response to the Hwang Uijo case has been insufficient, stating that such claims are unfounded.

On the 4th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appellate Division 1-3 (Presiding Judges Cho Jeongrae, Jin Hyeonji, and An Heegil) sentenced Hwang Uijo, who was indicted for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (filming using cameras, etc.), to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence, the same as the first trial. Hwang Uijo was charged with illegally filming videos of sexual intercourse without the other party's consent on four occasions between June and September 2022.