Sports Ministry Calls for Suspension of Korea Football Association Chief Over Hiring Irregularities.

Seoul: The sports ministry has demanded the suspension of the Korea Football Association's (KFA) top official, Chung Mong-gyu, following an investigation into irregularities in the hiring process of the men's national team head coach. This call comes amidst controversies surrounding the recruitment process and other procedural issues within the KFA.According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry has asked for not only Chung's suspension but also that of other senior KFA officials. The KFA has the option to dismiss Chung, who has been leading the organization since 2013 and is expected to seek another term next year. The controversy began when the KFA appointed Hong Myung-bo as head coach in July, a decision criticized for lacking a formal vetting process. The ministry has urged the KFA to rectify these procedural lapses, suggesting a more structured approach involving the National Teams Committee in future hiring decisions.The interim findings revealed that the KFA broke several rules during Hong's hiring, with the ministry suggesting that these issues could have been avoided had Chung not bypassed established procedures. Inspector General Choi Hyun-joon emphasized that the KFA must respond to the ministry's demand within a month or face potential consequences, including reduced subsidies.Choi highlighted Chung's responsibility to adhere to proper procedures and criticized his involvement in the hiring process. He clarified that the investigation's intention was not to force Chung's resignation but to ensure accountability and transparency within the KFA. The ministry's probe also found irregularities in the appointments of other coaches, including inadequate certifications and bypassed approvals.The ministry also raised concerns about Chung's attempt to pardon former players involved in match-fixing, further complicating the KFA's compliance with FIFA regulations. Despite FIFA's warning about potential sanctions for external interference, the ministry maintains that their actions align with FIFA's governan ce standards.Choi reiterated the ministry's commitment to upholding fair practices in the KFA and assured that their investigation was conducted in good faith to improve governance within the organization.