[Exclusive] OB Football Club Marred by Controversy Over Chairman Election... 'Football Hero' Lee Hoe-taek Sued

Lee Hoe-taek [Photo by Korea Football Association]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The official organization 'OB Football Association,' where veteran football figures who once dominated an era are active, is embroiled in controversy over its presidential election, causing a stir. The dispute has escalated significantly, leading to a 'legal battle.'

According to an exclusive report by this outlet on the 25th, the OB Football Association Secretariat filed an injunction request with the Seoul Central District Court on the 28th of last month to suspend the duties of President Lee Hoe-taek. The first trial will be held on the 9th of next month. The claims of both sides are sharply opposed.

Some members of the Secretariat and executive officers argued, "President Lee assumed office through an election conducted in a manner that violates the regulations," and filed a lawsuit. Previously, Lee was appointed at an extraordinary delegates' meeting held on July 19. Traditionally, the OB Football Association president is selected by endorsing a single candidate without a vote, but this meeting was different. First, Senior Vice President Seo Yoon-chan was recommended as a candidate, and then suddenly some delegates recommended Lee. With two candidates, the delegates had no choice but to vote. Among the 16 attendees (2 invalid votes), Lee received 8 votes, surpassing Vice President Seo's 6 votes, and was thus endorsed as president. Lee even held an inauguration ceremony at Yongsan Dream Tree Complex on the 29th of last month.

Some executives in the administration raised issues, stating, "Lee had no eligibility to run for office from the start." They particularly pointed out that Lee never paid the annual membership fee of 30,000 KRW, which is required once a year during his activity period in the OB Football Association. Since paying the fee is necessary to be registered as a member of the association, and Lee did not pay, he is not recognized as a member and therefore cannot become president. Vice President A told this outlet, "Lee, aware of the controversy over the membership fee, hurriedly paid the 30,000 KRW fee at 9 p.m. on the voting day night to try to resolve the issue." They also raised suspicions about the delegates' meeting where the president was decided by voting rather than by endorsement. There is even speculation that Lee may have bribed some delegates to prevent the endorsement of Vice President Seo and to induce a vote.

On the other hand, Lee's side rebutted that since all 16 delegates present at the meeting voted and then unanimously agreed once more to endorse Lee, there was no problem with the election method. They also said the membership fee was not a matter of dispute. The annual fee is considered a participation fee for tournaments held by the OB Football Association during the year, and Lee's fee is included in the fees collectively paid annually by the Dongbuk High School OB Association. They added that there are numerous members like Lee who have not paid the fee.

They also claimed that the executive officers appointed by the former president are obstructing to install Vice President Seo as president. The OB Football Association presidency suddenly became vacant last August when President Lee Poong-gil passed away due to old age. Subsequently, in March, Choi Jae-ik, president of the Seoul Football Association, was endorsed as president, but qualification controversies arose because he was 'not a former professional player,' leading to his resignation in June. Choi also faced an injunction lawsuit. He won the first trial, but amid escalating internal disputes during the second trial, he voluntarily resigned. Although Choi left, the executive officers he appointed remain and are still in office.

In a phone interview with this outlet, Lee said, "I have no ambition for the presidency. I even declined the offer to become president of the Korea Football Association," adding, "If senior and junior footballers endorse me, I only said I am willing to serve one last time for our football." He emphasized, "If the injunction is accepted by the court, I will not serve as president. However, I intend to face the trial with a sense of duty to try to correct the OB Football Association, which has always had internal problems, using this opportunity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.