Gwangju FC CEO Noh Dongil's Reappointment Proposal Passes Board of Directors

Six Board Members Vote in Favor, Three Oppose at November 6 Meeting
Reappointment to Be Finalized Upon Approval by Club Owner, Mayor Kang Gijung
Backlash Expected from Local Football Community, Including Gwangju Football Association
"Failed to Prove Credibility Due to Poor Club Management"

In the CEO office of Gwangju Football Stadium, Roh Dongil, CEO of Gwangju FC, and Lee Junghyo, the coach, are posing together. Provided by Gwangju FC

Noh Dongil, CEO of Gwangju FC, who has officially announced his intention to serve another term, has passed a major hurdle.

On the morning of November 6, the board of directors of Gwangju Citizen Professional Football Club Co., Ltd. (hereafter Gwangju FC) deliberated and voted on the proposal for CEO Noh Dongil's reappointment. Out of nine board members, six voted in favor and three opposed, allowing the proposal to pass.

The proposal for CEO Noh's reappointment, which passed the board of directors that day, is expected to be finalized soon after approval by Kang Gijung, the mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City and owner of the club.

Barring any major changes, CEO Noh is expected to lead Gwangju FC's management for another three years, until November 2028.

Although CEO Noh's reappointment is virtually confirmed, significant backlash from the local football community is expected. He has already demonstrated the limits of his management due to poor club operations, and he has lost trust as the top executive after a series of international sanctions resulting from administrative errors.

In fact, Gwangju FC recorded a net loss of approximately 3.7 billion won from 2023 through last year, effectively falling into capital impairment. As a result, the club was fined 10 million won and received a one-year ban on player recruitment (with a three-year probation) from the Korea Professional Football League for violating financial soundness regulations.

Additionally, during the recruitment of player Asini, the club failed to pay a solidarity contribution of 4.16 million won and subsequently received a severe penalty from FIFA, including a ban on player registration next year.

Recently, controversy intensified after the club appointed Lee Hyun, a former deputy head of Gwangju Nam-gu District and a non-football administrator, as head of the management division.

As a result, the rift between CEO Noh and the local football community, including the Gwangju Football Association, has deepened. If CEO Noh's reappointment is ultimately confirmed, the local football community is expected to experience further internal conflict.

Some in the local football community, including the Gwangju Football Association, have already expressed their intention to launch a "petition against CEO Noh's reappointment" and other direct actions. It is also reported that they are planning to seek a direct meeting with Mayor Kang Gijung, the club owner.

A local football official stated, "Noh Dongil, CEO of Gwangju FC, has always said he would take responsibility whenever controversies arose, but now, at the decisive moment, he is saying something different. I can't help but wonder if his intention to seek another term is connected to next year's local elections."