All Korean national soccer teams by age, from U-20, U-24, and U-17, were subject to biased judgment in international matches held between May and July.

In the 2023 Asian Cup final held at Pathum Thani Stadium in Thailand on the afternoon of the 2nd, Korea’s last challenge was blocked by Japan.

In fact, decisions at the level of 12-10 games, such as sending off, free kicks, and PK controversy, were followed in the judgment of the referee, who doubted whether he had the eyesight to make a normal judgment.

Angered director Byeon Seong-hwan reacted violently by throwing the ticket that was hanging around his neck. However, he could not overturn the verdict once declared.

The truly embarrassing incident was not unique to the U-17 national team. It’s not comparable to the official game, but the U-24 national team (Hwang Seon-hong)’s defeat against China on the 19th was the start.

On the afternoon of the 19th, in a friendly match held at Jinhua Stadium in Zhejiang Province, China, the Korean U-24 national team lost 0-1 to China. Wang Haijian only received a warning in the 28th minute not only for the content of the game but also for the rough fouls of the opponents.

Of course, it could be seen as ‘possible’ as this was a friendly match in enemy territory. Even three months later, the Asian Games were scheduled, so it was a scene that could be seen as China’s goal to break the momentum of the national team to meet at the competition.

But that wasn’t all. In the U-20 World Cup, where the U-20 national team participated, there was controversy over the decision.

In the first match of the group stage on May 22, against France, goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong, who had been beaten by an opposing striker, was declared foul. 

In the game against Ecuador, Korea’s Park Chang-woo grabbed opponent Kendrey Fayez by the hand and was declared PK. However, he started to fall from outside the box, but the referee declared a PK starting from the last position he fell.

The match against Italy in the semifinals was closer to UFC than soccer. The scene on the ground, where the opponent’s elbows, hand techniques, and foot techniques were combined, was reminiscent of a mixed martial arts game.

Even in the PK acquisition scene, the first scoring scene in Korea, the referee declared no foul. Fortunately, after review with VAR, the national team that obtained the PK succeeded and balanced the match at 1-1.

In particular, in the 25th minute of the second half when the score was 1-1, Park Hyun-bin, who was dribbling right in front of the box, tripped on the opponent’s feet and hands right in front of the referee, but the referee declared a no-foul.메이저토토사이트

Even KBS commentator Lee Young-pyo, who played an active role as one of the best defenders in Korea, reacted, saying, ‘This is a perfect foul.’ The 20-minute match and the Italian martial arts continued during the extra time, but the referee did not blink.

The exact reason for the ‘Hate Korea’ that started last May is unknown. However, as if they had waited, FIFA official referees’ “hate on Korea” is erupting all at once in friendly matches as well as in two national competitions. Only the A-match national team was able to avoid the biased decision because it played in Korea.

The same biased judgment as the U-20 World Cup and U-17 Asian Cup, which have already passed, can lead to the upcoming Asian Games (China), U-17 World Cup (Indonesia), and 2023 Asian Cup (Qatar) by Hwang Sun-Hong.

If such a decision continues, there will be not only controversy over the decision, but also concerns about the injury of the players who are in the midst of growing.

I hope that the Korean national team can overcome the referees’ ‘hate on Korea’ and return home safely.