Sohn Heung-min, the captain of the Korean males’s nationwide soccer group, strains up a shot throughout a World Cup qualifying match in opposition to Palestine at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Sept. 5. Yonhap
By Kim Se-jeong
Constructed for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Seoul World Cup Stadium has lengthy served as the first venue for worldwide matches for the Korean males’s nationwide soccer group. Nonetheless, its standing is declining because of the unhealthy situation of the pitch.
After the Korean nationwide soccer group drew 0-0 in opposition to Palestine in a World Cup qualifying match on Sept. 5, the group’s captain, Son Heung-min, voiced frustration with the situation of the pitch on the stadium.
“There are a lot of expert gamers, however we confronted challenges with ball management and dribbling (on the pitch),” Son stated. “I hope the grass situations enhance once we play at dwelling.”
Son’s remarks sparked widespread criticism of the Seoul metropolis authorities for its failure to correctly keep the nationwide group’s dwelling floor, resulting in heated discontent amongst soccer followers.
On the coronary heart of the problem is the Seoul Services Company’s drive to generate income when the stadium shouldn’t be getting used for soccer. The venue has regularly hosted non-sporting occasions equivalent to spiritual gatherings, cultural actions and live shows, with a few of these occasions contributing to the degradation of the soccer pitch.
A panoramic view of Ok-pop star IU’s live performance at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Sunday. Newsis
As an illustration, Ok-pop boy band SEVENTEEN held live shows on the stadium in April, promoting tickets that included entry to seats straight on the pitch. Additionally, Ok-pop star IU accomplished two live shows on the venue final weekend, additional damaging the sector.
On Wednesday, a report launched by a Korean lawmaker highlighted the company’s neglect. In accordance with the report, the company earned almost $6.2 million in income from leasing the stadium this yr however spent solely $190,640 on pitch upkeep.
In response to the mounting criticism, the company stated that it’ll not permit the pitch for use for non-sporting occasions sooner or later.
In the meantime, the Korea Soccer Affiliation (KFA) is already trying to find a brand new dwelling floor. With Korea set to face Iraq in a World Cup qualifier on Oct. 15, the KFA inspected the pitch and determined to relocate the match to a soccer floor in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
This undated photograph reveals employees finishing up pitch upkeep at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Yonhap
