Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Foundations of Normalization (1)
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Jeong Mong-gu, the current president of the Korea Football Association.
He had served four consecutive terms and was now running in the election for the 56th president, aiming for a fifth.
That's when the controversy over irregularities in the U-17 national team selection exploded.
Normally, such an issue wouldn't even surface, and even if it did, it wouldn't burn this hot for so long.
It was all because of Ban Yeager.
Ban Yeager, a mere bench player, had put on an unbelievable performance in the U-17 World Cup match against Spain, sparking the controversy.
And now, at just 16 years old, he had gone overseas and was delivering yet another absurd level of play, dragging the scandal into the spotlight along with him.
"Hoo... Why couldn't he just stay quietly in the K League? What a pain."
Still, there was no way he'd fail to secure his fifth term.
Public opinion be damned—he already had all the internal votes locked down.
That arrogant kid obviously wouldn't make the World Cup squad.
And even if he somehow did, he wouldn't see a minute of game time.
No matter how talented he was, he'd still be 17 next year.
With his lack of experience, what could they do if they just said he wasn't ready to play?
"How dare he... reject my offer?"
He could've debuted with our Busan Island and made everything look perfect.
Then there'd be no need to deal with this nonsense.
The Korea Football Association's emergency press conference.
With his eye on a fifth term, President Jeong Mong-gu couldn't just ignore the controversy outright.
No matter how meaningless soccer fans' opinions were or how they were just seat-fillers, he had to at least put on a show of addressing the injustice and offering explanations.
U-17 national team coach Kim Byeong-ho sat beside him.
As soon as they appeared, camera flashes erupted, and questions came pouring in.
"Do you acknowledge the allegations of irregularities in the current U-17 national team selection controversy!?"
"That is absolutely not true. The Korea Football Association grants full authority over national team call-ups to the appointed coach, and we strictly prohibit any private requests, interference, meddling, or anything of the sort."
A perfectly textbook response.
It sounded logical and well-spoken, but the soccer fans watching felt only confusion.
Wasn't this controversy originally about whether Coach Kim Byeong-ho took bribes or not???
What's this guy's deal?
In truth, this controversy differed from past ones in a key way.
Previous scandals had solid evidence or were based on actual events, but this one was purely about the possibility of something having happened.
Ban Yeager, the central figure, had drawn massive attention in a short time thanks to his phenomenal performances, fanning the flames.
A simple denial or claiming it was Coach Kim's solo act wouldn't uncover more—there was no way to prove it definitively.
Some circumstantial evidence had surfaced, but nothing concrete.
Then Jeong Mong-gu stepped up personally, making things worse.
"Then let me ask Coach Kim Byeong-ho! As President Jeong Mong-gu stated, did you have full authority over the team selection, with no irregularities or issues in the process?"
"Y-Yes... That's right... There's absolutely no truth to it. The national team selection was conducted fairly..."
"Then let me question you on the specific issues raised!"
...
Questions rained down relentlessly, and though Coach Kim looked precarious, he answered each one.
None of the doubts were resolved satisfactorily, but there seemed no deeper avenue to pursue.
Then, when pressed with one piece of circumstantial evidence, Coach Kim suddenly choked up and dropped a bombshell.
"Th-This...! I'll resign! But I swear on my honor, I never used unfair methods in selecting national team members!... "
"I-I'm sorry... But there's absolutely no truth to it... I'll take responsibility by resigning over this controversy... I'm truly sorry, everyone..."
Out of nowhere, Coach Kim announced his resignation from the coaching position to take responsibility.
From there, he dodged proper answers on the irregularities, repeating only that he'd resign.
"Sigh... Any final words?"
"Th-Thank you for the opportunity. I've heard a lot lately about how Korea's soccer pitches are in far worse condition than those in other countries... I hope our journalists can help ensure our national team players and young talents play in better environments..."
The press conference ended, leaving suspicions unresolved and only amplifying confusion and bewilderment.
The public was left baffled, wondering what the point of the press conference even was.
The sheer stupidity of it all had even quelled their outrage—a success in its own twisted way.
Without solid evidence or punishment, it seemed destined to fade into another forgotten scandal.
But as noted, this one had a different flavor, drawing in some astonishing figures.
After the conference wrapped up, he waited briefly until the phone rang right on time.
Lee Dae-yong
A member of the Pan Five Stars family and the one most deeply involved in Korean soccer among them.
Head of the KFA's management division and owner of the Suwon Oseong Dragons.
Now, it was time to speak with him as the KFA management head.
"Hello, Director."
With that greeting alone, they shifted from player-fan mode to soccer pro-association executive.
After light pleasantries, they cut to the chase.
"Did you catch the press conference, Director?"
"...Yes. As a member of the association—no, as a Korean soccer fan—it's heartbreaking and infuriating. My deepest apologies to the players who suffered directly..."
His tone rang utterly genuine, impossible to fake.
There was no reason for the director to apologize personally like this.
He was purely heartbroken, angry, and guilt-ridden over the situation.
This had been evident in his past life too.
Four years from now, in the 57th KFA president election, he'd run and declare sweeping reforms.
His pure, sincere love for Korean soccer and his actions backing it won massive fan support.
But it hadn't been enough to oust the Jeong family dynasty controlling the association.
"We'll work to ensure this controversy doesn't cause further harm to the players. Especially since Ban Yeager is at the center—I'll be paying close attention."
This is the guy we need.
To join my plans, he needed both a passion to save Korean soccer and trust in me.
He had all the makings of my ultimate fanboy.
"Director... You said you were my fan, right?"
"Yes, still watching every game. Your performances are incredible."
"Then you know the atmosphere at the stadiums too."
"...It made me want to be there in person. The heat, the roar—it felt like United's glory days."
Manchester United had declined slowly, steadily.
Restoring them to their former heights—or beyond—would take ages.
But one thing never changed.
The Red Devils, Manchester United's fans.
They still brimmed with pride for the world's greatest club.
Not fallen to the second division, but on the road back to the throne—they cheered fanatically.
"I want to see Korean soccer's golden age, or better. Fans in red uniforms dominating the stands, proud to support the world's best team."
"Cheering for the Korean national team."
"Red Devils..."
Got him.
The image in Lee Dae-yong's mind—of red-clad United fans cheering wildly—shifted to Korean citizens in even brighter red.
Man United mania seamlessly transmuted into Korean national pride.
The story he'd hear next would transcend a sweet deal—it'd sound like an oracle to revive Korean soccer.