The K-League is getting hotter after the opening. The players prepared for the season with winter training, but the referees also prepared for the league with winter training. After winter training, my autonomy and communication improved, and my concentration on judgments increased.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) held winter training for professional referees belonging to the KFA in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do from the 6th to the 10th of last month. The 2023 season operation was drawn with group discussion time for a better season and fair judgment, including basic physical training and prevention of anti-ethical behavior such as match-fixing and doping.
There are no major issues with the decision in the situation that has progressed to the third round. The assignment of referees per game has also changed from previous years. The KFA launched a new executive division in the referee committee and referee operation team this year, and organized it into an executive division with more than 10 years of international referee experience. With the goal of producing referees for the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America, the Asian Football Federation referee development program was introduced, and a mid- to long-term special referee system was included.
A total of five central promotion policies were set. The central policy for 2023 is securing transparency and fairness in the assignment and evaluation of the K-League and adult leagues, expanding the base of the Ama referee, producing referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, referee/instructor training system, and revision of regulations for physical fitness test standards.
In addition, it was decided to assign referees one month in advance and disclose referee scores in order to ensure transparency and fairness in the assignment and evaluation of the K-League and adult leagues. In the past, referees were assigned a week or three to four days in advance, but starting from this season, they were assigned a month in advance, giving them ample time to prepare.
The referees who attended the Namhae winter training camp said, “I was able to prepare systematically by watching the assigned games. I don’t think there were any major problems until K-League 2.”
It’s not a judgment controversy, but there was a goalkeeper mistake in the match between FC Seoul and Ulsan Hyundai. An indirect free kick was declared when goalkeeper Choi Cheol-won caught the same team’s back pass with his hand. If the decision was wrong at the moment, it could be beaten for a basic decision mistake. 원벳원 토토
When the goalkeeper made a mistake, the assistant referee and third referee immediately called in, and the referee was able to decide quickly. In winter training, the referees had a group discussion time talking about the good and bad judgments of the past season. This season, I decided to increase my judgment concentration in my own free will, but the effect of winter training came out from the beginning.
Referee Lee Dong-jun, who oversaw the game, said, “I was able to make the right decision because my colleagues who entered the stadium helped me first,” and “I tried not to make a mistake from the basic judgment. I think it has become an environment where I can make more accurate judgments with my back.”