https://m.sports.naver.com/kfootball/article/450/0000147771

[OFFICIAL] Head Referee involved in 'Jeonbuk Coach Racial Slur Controversy & Referee Rule Violation' gets '3-Month Suspension from Duty'

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Jeonbuk Hyundai's Thanos coach and the head referee arguing during the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 Round 36 match between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Daejeon Hana Citizen on the 8th. /Photo=Coupang Play

[STN News] Reporter Ban Jin-hyuk | The head referee embroiled in the racial discrimination controversy won't be setting foot on the pitch for a while. The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on the 18th that they decided on a 3-month assignment suspension for referee Kim Woosung, citing 'violation of Article 20, Section 4 of the Referee Regulations: The obligation not to conduct any press interviews regarding pre- or post-match calls without prior KFA approval.' However, the effective date makes absolutely no sense. The suspension starts on December 16th, meaning he’ll be back on the pitch after missing only a few games once the K League next season kicks off.

The KFA explained, "Most people think that professional referees only officiate professional matches, but during the offseason, they are assigned to professional team training camps, K3/K4 training, or college practice matches. Since referees fundamentally do not have a fixed salary and rely on match allowances for income, they take non-K League assignments during the offseason. Since all these assignments are blocked, it is incorrect to say that the disciplinary action is ineffective just because the K League is currently in the offseason."

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The controversy started on November 8th. Jeonbuk's Thanos coach claimed a handball foul toward the referee in extra time during the K League 1 match against Daejeon. The referee, after VAR review, awarded Jeonbuk a penalty kick and called a handball on Daejeon. Jeonbuk's Thanos coach then pointed to his eyes with his fingers toward the referee.