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Pohang Steelers Manager Park Tae-ha laments inability to play home games due to stadium safety concerns
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Sports

Pohang Steelers Manager Park Tae-ha laments inability to play home games due to stadium safety concerns

From Chosun Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Ongoing story
  • Pohang Steelers manager Park Tae-ha expressed frustration over the team's inability to play home games at their stadium, Steel Yard, due to safety concerns.
  • The team is facing the prospect of not being able to use their home ground for upcoming matches, including in the AFC Champions League.
  • The exact timeline for resolving the safety issues and resuming home games remains uncertain.

Pohang Steelers manager Park Tae-ha voiced his deep frustration and "bitter smile" over the team's current predicament: being forced to play away from their home stadium, Steel Yard, due to unresolved safety issues. The situation has escalated to the point where the team might not be able to host even crucial AFC Champions League matches at their usual venue.

"It can't be helped..." Park stated, reflecting the helplessness felt by the team and its management. The safety concerns at Steel Yard have led to the rescheduling of their K League 1 match against Bucheon FC 1995, which was originally slated to be held at Pohang's home ground. The game has been moved to Bucheon Stadium, highlighting the severity of the stadium's accessibility issues.

The exact timeline for addressing the safety concerns and determining when Steel Yard can once again be utilized for official matches remains unclear. This uncertainty casts a shadow over the team's upcoming fixtures, potentially impacting their performance and fan engagement. The club is reportedly exploring all possible avenues to resolve the situation swiftly, but the lack of a definitive solution leaves them in a precarious position, forced into a "compulsory away trip."

It can't be helped...

โ€” Park Tae-haExpressing frustration and helplessness over the stadium safety issues.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.