In this photo taken April 15, 2018, South Korean football fans wearing masks watch the K League 1 match between Pohang Steelers and Gyeongnam FC at Steel Yard in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 16 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s football governing body said Monday that it has decided to allow event organizers to cancel matches when fine dust advisories or warnings are issued.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it has notified its subordinate federations, including the K League, the operator of South Korea’s pro football league, about a new rule on fine dust. The KFA said it decided to introduce the rule to protect the players, officials and fans from fine dust.
Under the rule, the operators can call off events when a fine dust warning is issued in the region. In South Korea, a fine dust warning is issued when the dust concentration level reaches over 300 micrograms per cubic meter (㎍/㎥), while an advisory is put in place when the level is over 150 ㎍/㎥.
The KFA said that for elementary school football competitions, organizers must call off matches when a finedust advisory is issued. They also recommended the organizers change or adjust match times when there is “bad” level of dust – from 81-150 ㎍/㎥.
The South Korean sports community has been trying to deal with fine dust in recent months. Earlier this month, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) decided to cancel three baseball games due to the problem.
(Yonhap)
