'Gol Ddaenyuh' has been embroiled in controversy over match-fixing allegations and biased officiating.
On the broadcast of the SBS entertainment program 'Gol Ddaenyuh' on the 27th of last month, the G League final match between FC Gucheokjangsin and FC Wonderwomen was revealed.
In this match, Gucheokjangsin quickly took the lead at 2-0 with goals from Lee Hye-jeong and Kim Jin-kyung in the first half, and although Wonderwomen's ace Marsima scored a goal to pull one back, ultimately the match ended 2-1. As a result, the G League concluded with Gucheokjangsin's first championship.
However, after the broadcast, viewers continued to protest against the referee's decisions. They claimed that Gucheokjangsin engaged in foul-level infractions, such as obstructing the opposing goalkeeper's view and holding with hands, yet was not given a warning, amounting to biased officiating.
Ultimately, the Wonderwomen's coach Jo Jae-jin directly protested to the referees, but it was dismissed. The commentator also stated, "It was a legitimate physical contest, not a foul," defending Gucheokjangsin.
Furthermore, after the broadcast, the 'Gol Ddaenyuh' team released the match records through their official website. According to the records, in the 12th minute of the second half, Marsima of the Wonderwomen team received a warning. However, since no justifiable scene for Marsima's warning appeared in the broadcast, reactions surfaced questioning the fact that the one who received the warning was Marsima from the Wonderwomen team, despite Gucheokjangsin being the one committing excessive fouls.
As a result, some raised suspicions that the winning team might have been predetermined. They pointed out that the referee's decisions leaning towards Gucheokjangsin were at a level of match-fixing.
In fact, on the SBS viewer bulletin board, multiple posts protesting against the biased officiating and match-fixing allegations of 'Gol Ddaenyuh' were uploaded one after another. The official account of 'Gol Ddaenyuh' also received numerous critical comments calling Gucheokjangsin the "worst winning team," and FC Wonderwomen fans strongly condemned the biased officiating through a statement released in the gallery.
Fans noted, "The reason for our anger over this situation is that it undermines viewer trust and fairness in the broadcast program 'Gol Ddaenyuh,'" and demanded clarification from the production team, an apology from the responsible producer, measures to eradicate biased officiating, a change in the refereeing team, and an apology from FC Gucheokjangsin's coach Lee Young-pyo. They added that since 'Gol Ddaenyuh' is the country's first women's soccer entertainment program, they hope it remains as a program that contributes to the development of women's soccer and brings joy to viewers.
The viewers' anger has escalated to demands for the expulsion of some members, team disbandment, and the show's cancellation. In a situation that has disappointed even the fervent supporters of 'Gol Ddaenyuh,' the SBS 'Gol Ddaenyuh' team conveyed to OSEN that they are "currently verifying" the controversy.
Meanwhile, 'Gol Ddaenyuh' airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. Following the G League finals, 'Gol Ddaenyuh' is expected to continue with the 'GIFA CUP,' and Commissioner Ha Seok-joo hinted at a major reform, stating, "This could be the last time the current team name and members compete in the GIFA Cup tournament."
[Photo] SBS
[OSEN]