K League referee saves player's life

K League referee Kim Yong-yoo, center, talks to video assistant referees during the K League second-round match between Suwon Samsung and Ulsan Hyundai at Suwon World Cup Stadium, May 17. / Courtesy of Korea Football Association

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Players are generally at the center of attention in football, but the K League 1 match between Sangju Sangmu and Gangwon FC, Aug. 2, featured a different type of hero.

In the 30th minute, Sangju's midfielder Han Kook-young and Oh Se-hoon of Gangwon banged heads, which knocked Han out leaving him falling to the ground, where he hit his head again.

“It could be have been really serious,” said K League referee Kim Yong-woo who was refereeing the match. He immediately stopped play and sprinted to Han while blowing his whistle to call medics to the scene.

“Han's tongue blocked his airway. I immediately freed it, and helped medics take him to the ambulance. It was also important to calm the players on the pitch.”

It took only three minutes for the ambulance to remove Han.

According to a Gangwon FC official the following day, Han regained consciousness in the ambulance on the way to hospital. Although suffering a minor concussion, an MRI scan confirmed that he did have any major injury.

According to the Korea Football Association (KFA), K League referees are required to pass a first-aid course to protect players in health emergencies. K League referees have also become more vigilant in protecting players on the pitch since the tragic accident of the three-time South Korea international striker Shin Young-rok in 2011.

Shin, then 24, who played with Jeju United, suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the field after coming on as a substitute during a K League game against Daegu FC, May 8, 2011.

He had suffered multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and spent the next 50 days in a coma. It ended his career as a professional football player.

“The KFA has taken various measures since that incident. We learned the first five minutes are crucial to a player in an emergency situation,” Kim said.

VAR and fans

Kim said he welcomes the introduction of video assistant referees (VAR) because they help referees make more precise calls on the pitch.

“Some said the introduction of the VAR could weaken the authority of football referees, but I disagree,” Kim said.

“It's more important to make the right calls than having authority during the game. Football will be more fun with more accurate refereeing. I believe fans will love it too.”

He added he has felt empty without fans at the games for the last couple of weeks. The government had ordered South Korea's professional sporting events to be held behind closed doors, only allowing fans to attend them in limited numbers starting Aug. 1.

“This beautiful game wouldn't be full and complete without fans. I am sure the players feel the same way. Even though only limited crowds are allowed, I am happy they are coming back,” Kim said.

The 37-year-old decided to become a K League referee when he was a college student majoring in physical education. He debuted as a K League 1 referee in 2018.

“Fans sometime boo referees during the game. I believe they are doing it because they also love the game. And I am so happy to be part of it,” he said.

“We, including myself, are all football fans. I think it will be even better if we all respect each other when we enjoy this beautiful game.”