Japan is also paying attention to the Gwangju FC's ineligible player issue.
Gwangju failed to pay the solidarity contribution of $3,000 incurred when bringing in Asani in 2023. This amount is the expense that should be paid to the club or academy to which the player belonged from the age of 12 to 23. It is a mandatory provision specified by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
Gwangju did not realize that the person in charge was resting while continuously failing to pay the solidarity contribution. FIFA imposed a registration ban on Gwangju and communicated it to the Korea Football Association (KFA). However, Gwangju is still unaware of the disciplinary action and played without a registered player in K League 1, the Korea Cup, and elite matches in the AFC Champions League.
The Football Association belatedly acknowledged the mistake. In an official statement on the 16th, it noted, “We deeply apologize for the confusion caused by administrative procedural inadequacies,” effectively admitting to the mistake. However, it stated that disciplinary action against Gwangju would not proceed separately.
The problem is growing. K League clubs, including Pohang, are raising issues over the match played against Gwangju, which had an unregistered player. Teams that faced Gwangju in the AFC Champions League could also raise issues.
Japanese champion Vissel Kobe won the first leg against Gwangju in the knockout stage 2-0 but lost the second leg 0-3, failing to advance to the quarterfinals. Gwangju lost 0-7 to Al Hilal in the quarterfinals and was eliminated.
Japanese media also took the issue of Gwangju seriously. 'The World' reported, "Gwangju, which showed strong performance in the ACLE, may face sanctions due to the issue of unregistered players. Gwangju has not paid the solidarity contribution, and FIFA has already imposed a reinforcement ban on Gwangju last December. The revelation that there was an unregistered player who played for Gwangju, which defeated Vissel Kobe, shocked many."
This is not just a problem for one team in Gwangju. Since the KFA is involved, there is also a possibility of sanctions against Korean football as a whole. Japanese media raised concerns, stating, "The KFA is obligated to provide evidence of compliance with the registration ban to FIFA. If it fails to prove this, it could become a potential target for sanctions. There is a possibility that Korea could be excluded from all international competitions hosted by FIFA's World Cup and the AFC. This means Son Heung-min may not participate in the last World Cup."
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