Only 250 million investments from 8.2 billion...Sangam Stadium, Ice → Paddle Grass 'Turning around'

Only 250 million investments from 8.2 billion...Sangam Stadium, Ice → Paddle Grass 'Turning around'

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Sangambeol (a nickname for Seoul World Cup Stadium) is no exception to suffer from ice grass problems. In the venue, which is called the "heart of Korean soccer," no A-match is held due to grass that holds players back. This happened because the promise to do their best to manage grass was not kept.

The Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation, which manages the Seoul World Cup Stadium, has recently been criticized for its poor operation. On the website, nearly 200 complaints related to grass have been posted since the 3rd. This is attributed to the poor grass conditions in the third round of the K League 1 between FC Seoul and Gimcheon Sangmu. Jesse Lingard (Seoul), a goaltender from the English Premier League, added a golf-related emoticon to his social networking service (SNS) photo. Lingard complained of pain after tripping over the grass of a fan while changing directions.
"Last year, the Korea Facilities Management Corporation made 8.2 billion won (approximately 8 million U.S. dollars) at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. At that time, the corporation was criticized for not spending 10 percent of the proceeds (actually 250 million won) on grass management. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it would increase the budget and investment in facility management in 2025, and the Korea Facilities Management Corporation also promised detailed attention and management," a citizen said in a post on the complaint. "Many people believed it, but how about five months later? The grass is still dug deep and players are exposed to the risk of injury. The audience is anxious to see that. The Korea Facilities Management Corporation may have something to say, but please stop making excuses and work."

The Korea Facilities Management Corporation has also tried to extinguish the problem by explaining the background of difficulties in managing grass in winter through its management office, but the voice of complaints has not subsided. This is because the Korea Facilities Management Corporation has promised to make efforts to manage grass for several years, but has yet to show any noticeable change. It is also in line with the reality that the A-match has not been held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium for half a year.

When Son Heung-min (Tottenham) pointed out bad grass conditions at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in September last year, the Korea Football Association changed the venue for the fourth round of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup, which will be held against Iran in October, from Seoul World Cup Stadium to Yongin Mir Stadium. The seventh to eighth rounds of the third qualifying round, which will resume in March, will also be held at Goyang Stadium (20th, Oman) and Suwon World Cup Stadium (25th, Jordan), not at Seoul World Cup Stadium. "Why don't we have an A-match in Suwon for a reason?" said Yazan, a Seoul defender who is likely to face South Korea as a member of the Jordanian national team.

Concerns over the Seoul World Cup Stadium are also focused on performances and events that will begin in spring. The Seoul Spring Festa, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is expected on April 30. The Korea Facilities Management Corporation plans to set up a stage in the E section of the stand, leaving the ground empty, in order to keep its promise to prioritize grass protection at the event. Audience seats will also be open only in the N, W and S sections. It is different from the last event of the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree in August 2023.

However, the Korea Facilities Management Corporation should seek trust from fans and show its willingness to make active investments to save grass. 메이저놀이터 If the Korea Facilities Management Corporation lets down its guard just because the ice grass has passed in winter, it will only turn into a paddy field grass in summer. Fans are watching to see if the corporation will keep its promise.