Legend Choi Eun-Sung Snubbed by Club

by Liam Birch

Just days before the start of the 2012 K-League season, Daejeon Citizen fans have voiced their outrage at the news that club legend Choi Eun-Sung has not been offered a new contract.   

The shocking development was revealed by Choi in an interview published on all of the leading Korean news sites. In the interview, Choi admits that he had attempted to discuss a new contract with Daejeon bosses, only to be told that he was surplus to requirements at the Purple Arena. The move is especially shocking considering that Choi traveled and played on the club's recent trip to Mexico.

With only four days until Daejeon kick off their campaign against Gyeongnam, it remains to be seen what this move will mean for the morale of the squad.

Choi Eun-Song career stats:

League Apps: 352

Cup Apps: 134

Goals: 1

Yoo Sang-Cheol's Bizarre Promise

by Liam Birch

Daejeon Citizen manager Yoo Sang Cheol has been ridiculed by K-League fans for promising that Citizen will win every single one of their remaining 10 matches.

Yoo's bizarre prediction came after Daejeon were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by fierce rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings. During the post-match press conference, Yoo told reporters, "I am not disappointed because I know that we will win all of our remaining fixtures." He later responded to sceptical journalists by claiming, "If I didn't think we could do it, I wouldn't say so."

Daejeon currently sit second bottom of the K-League, with only 4 league victories all season.

Daejeon Boss Warns New Coach Yoo

by Liam Birch

Daum news is reporting that Daejeon chairman Kim Kwang-Hee had a Chinese style get out clause added to Yoo Sang-Cheol's contract. The clause, which Yoo finally agreed to, allows Kim to terminate Yoo's contract with immediate effect.

Kim claims that he took the protective measure to ensure that Citizen would not be relegated out of the K-League when the new rules come in at the start of the 2013 season. Park Chan Jun, football journalist at Daum is sceptical about the move however, arguing that a new coach should be given at least 2-3 years to prove himself.

Veteran Goalkeeper Choi Eun-Seong has spoken about his excitement at being reunited with his 2002 World Cup team-mate. Choi was speaking before Yoo Sang-Cheol took charge of his first Daejeon Citizen training session this morning.

Yoo Sang-Cheol is New Daejeon Boss

by Liam Birch

2002 World Cup hero Yoo Sang-Cheol has been confirmed as the new manager of Daejeon Citizen.

New Daejeon CEO Kim Kwang-Hee has moved quickly to replace Wang Seon-Jae, who was sacked as manager following the revelations that 13 Daejeon Citizen players had accepted money for rigging games.

The new appointment comes at a critical time in Citizen's history, with uncertainty surrounding the future of the club. Daejeon have been on a horrific run of late, conceding 14 goals in the last two games against Pohang and Gyeongnam, prompting many commentators to speculate that the players were unhappy at Wang's departure.

Yoo's first game in charge will be at the Purple Arena against bottom club Gangwon.

Kwon Jib Latest Player to be Accused of Match Fixing

by Liam Birch.

According to Holyjoe over at the ROK Football Forums (http://forum.rokfootball.com), ex Daejeon midfielder Kwon Jib is the latest in a long line of Daejeon players to be accused of fixing matches. Kwon, who now plays in the Chinese League, is accused of receiving payments to ensure Daejeon lost in games during the 2010 season.

Eight Daejeon players have already been banned from Korean football for life after the revelations of match fixing in the K-League first surfaced in May.

Eight Match-Fixing Players Named and Shamed

by Liam Birch

Prosecutors handling the case of the eight Daejeon Citizen players involved in the match fixing scandal that has rocked Korean football have released the names of those involved.

Following the announcement, Daejeon Citizen have today canceled the contracts of the following players:

Shin Jun-Bae - Goalkeeper

Yang Jeong-Min - Defender

Lee Myeong-Cheol - Defender

Park Sang-Wook - Midfielder

Kim Ba-Woo - Midfielder

Kang Gu-Nam - Midfielder

Lee Jung-Won - Midfielder

Kwak Chang-Hee - Forward

The story has gained international attention and was reported by the BBC on June 9th. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13711244

On the field, Daejeon Citizen played out a 1-1 draw away at Daegu this Saturday thanks to an own goal by Daegu's Yoon Si-Ho.

Citizen in Match Fixing Crisis

by Liam Birch

Daejeon Citizen fans have been rocked by the news that several Citizen players have been suspended due to allegations of match fixing.

According to the Korea Times, eight Daejeon players are being investigated into claims that they took money to lose their K-League Cup second round game against Pohang Steelers, a game which Daejeon lost 3-0.

At an emergency board meeting, held after last weekend's 3-2 home defeat to Jeonbuk, the entire board and coaching staff, including manager Wang Seon-Jae, have resigned.

In an official statement on their website, Daejeon Citizen have admitted that the game in question was indeed rigged and claim that they will endeavor to find and eliminate the root of the problem.

The KFA have responded on Wednesday by setting up a task force in an attempt to eradicate all forms of corruption in the K-League.