South Korea’s women’s football team resolves a dispute over travel and conditions, avoiding a boycott of the upcoming Asian Cup in Australia.
A threatened boycott of next month’s Women’s Asian Cup by South Korea’s national women’s football team has been averted.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) confirmed on Tuesday that a dispute over “discriminatory conditions” has been resolved.
The players had complained last year of “poor” treatment compared to their male counterparts.
In a statement made public in January, they threatened to boycott games and training if the KFA did not address concerns over travel, training facilities and accommodation.
The KFA told AFP that the matter had “been resolved” and named a 26-player squad for the tournament.
The association stated it will now provide business-class travel for all women’s team members on long-haul flights.
It also aims to “strengthen a sustainable support system that allows the players to perform at their best while taking pride in wearing the national colours”.
The squad will convene at the national training centre on Sunday before departing for Australia four days later.
South Korea are drawn in a first-round group with hosts Australia, Iran and the Philippines.
Coach Shin Sang-woo’s squad includes former Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun and US-born 18-year-old Casey Phair of Angel City FC.
Eight overseas-based players were named, including AC Milan’s Park Soo-jeong.
The team open their campaign against Iran at the Gold Coast on March 2.
