The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism X Professional Football Federation investigates 27 grasses in the K League...support sports funds

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism X Professional Football Federation investigates 27 grasses in the K League...support sports funds

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The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) and the Korea Professional Football Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Federation) will conduct a full investigation on the grass conditions of a total of 27 soccer fields where K-League games are held to solve the controversial grass management problem.

The grass issue on the Korean soccer field is not what it was yesterday and today. Ki has constantly pointed out grass issues since he returned to FC Seoul as captain of the "overseas" national team. After winning back-to-back games in the Middle East last year, captain Son Heung-min said, "The grass is in better condition than ours," making him realize the reality once again. After Lee Im-saeng, former chairman of the KFA's power reinforcement committee, announced his resignation at the parliamentary audit last year, he tearfully asked lawmakers to "improve grass for players and Korean soccer," but the request came at a time when it was most important for the prevention of injury and performance, which was ridiculed as a grass-fiercing ceremony due to controversy over the Korea Football Association. At the administrative audit of the Tourism and Sports Bureau by the stylistic committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council in November last year, the grass-fiery issue was a hot topic in both ruling and opposition parties. Rep. Kim Ki-duk (Democratic Party of Korea) asked about the grass problem that Son Heung-min said was worse than arrogance, and proposed alternatives such as the case of the Bernabeu variable lawn in Spain, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, and Sapporo Stadium in Japan, which can turn a soccer field into a stadium without damaging the lawn using a smart farm method that stores grass indoors. "There were 134 complaints of grass from 2021 to last year. The venue for the Iraq match was moved to Mir Stadium in Yongin on Oct. 15. It is a disgrace to Seoul, the capital city, and a disgrace to the Republic of Korea," Kim said. The Seoul Metropolitan Government increased its budget of 1.1 billion won to 3.3 billion won this year, but complaints and controversies over grass conditions caused by the early opening of the league and cold weather continued. Criticism of the grass at the Seoul World Cup Stadium was also raised at the plenary session hall of the Seoul Metropolitan Council in March. "The third round of the K-League FC Seoul-Kim Cheon Sangmu match was held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on March 3, and rice planting was held at the stadium, not soccer," said Kim Dong-wook (People's Power). "Korea's proud national soccer team, which often uses the Seoul World Cup Stadium as its home, is not enjoying any home advantage at all. FC Seoul players have not been able to enjoy home advantage due to grass conditions, but are increasingly tired due to concerns over injury. Players who are visiting this team are also exposed to injury," he said. "The grass conditions are at their worst. The A-match for the national team has not been held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium for half a year as it has fallen short of the level of international competitions. It is embarrassing and devastating."

Fans and media at K-League stadiums have been busy checking the state of turf this season, and Jeonbuk Hyundai has lost its reputation once again as it will play at Yongin Mir Stadium in the neutral zone, rather than its home state of Jeonju World Cup Stadium due to the Asian Football Confederation's "point of turf." "What is certain is that players must be in good grass condition to properly display quality and good play. I had a lot of grass problems when I was young in Uruguay, but I have never done that in Europe since then," Jeonbuk coach Gus Foye said. "Thanks to this, I was able to become a better player."

And Hong Myung-bo's two consecutive home A matches in March, grass dominated the game. In the midst of a sharp break in the pass line against Oman, Baek Seung-ho and Lee Kang-in emerged, and after another draw against Jordan, the question of why South Korea is stronger in away games than at home was poured out. The players continued their determination to win and draw at home with 3 wins and 1 draw in the Middle East. Senior players such as Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung once again pointed out the "less than original environment." "It's too bad to talk about the grass environment a day before the game," Lee Jae-sung said. "I might say it's an excuse, but a lot of it interferes with the performance." "Because there are many players who play in a good environment, there is always a longing in that part, and I hope that part will be filled up," he said. "Players in Europe are likely to hesitate (due to turf issues) to return to the K League. Environmental issues are being worked on by many people, but I hope they get better. That way, the players can entertain their fans with better games," he said.

Captain Son Heung-min also had something to say after the match against Jordan. "The game is everyone's responsibility even though we play. Again, I'm upset that we have to play in the best condition and in the best environment because it's a game at home, but we can't and we can't even improve. I think it's hard to say what the players think instead. I really want to say that I want everyone to pay more attention to these parts, not just us," he said. "We can do better. I can do better, but what should I do if those things hold us back even though we can do better? It may sound like an excuse to many people, but every little part of it is so important to us because soccer players are determined by small details. You've seen it all without me telling you. It feels upsetting that the players are not able to play all of their plays in a good environment. I'm thinking, "It's going to change, it's going to change," but it's so upsetting that it doesn't change." Most players, including Seol Young-woo, also said, "I was afraid of injuries while playing because of the grass."

Amid the heated controversy, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a plan to investigate the entire lawn of the K-League stadium on the 27th. "The Ministry of Culture and Sports have established a department dedicated to grass management within the federation to start investigating advanced cases such as Japan," he said. "We will conduct a full investigation of K-League stadiums from April to analyze problems and causes of grass conditions in the first half of the year, and come up with customized improvement measures for each stadium." 스포츠토토

In particular, considering the characteristics and climate conditions of the stadium, practical improvement measures such as replacing aging grass, improving the quality of artificial grass, and managing heating and drainage facilities will be devised, and long-term lawn maintenance and management guidelines and on-site inspections will be proposed.