Seongnam FC Appeals to Amend 2016 Play Off Result

It has been reported in various Korean news outlets today that Seongnam FC lodged an appeal with the K League to amend their 2016 promotion playoff result against Gangwon FC last November, due to the fielding of an ineligible player by their opponents. (Photo Credit: Hankookilbo.com)

The complaint is in relation to Brazilian midfielder Sergio Paula Nascimento Filho (more commonly known as 'Serginho'), the then-Gangwon player who has since been deported from Korea for using a fake passport. The midfielder was registered as an Asian player for Gangwon in 2016 due to his supposed dual citizenship in Brazil and Syria, but the latter has since been proven to have been acquired via the falsification of documents leading to his expulsion from the country.

Seven times K League champions Seongnam were shockingly relegated from the K League Classic last season for the first time in their history after losing the two-legged playoff on away goals. Serginho featured in the second leg for Gangwon whilst under investigation for his doctored passport, therefore prompting Seongnam to request that the result be amended to a 3-0 victory in their favour.

Despite Seongnam claiming to have made their initial complaint within the allowed two day window after the match, the K League have pointed out that the player was not deemed ineligible at the time and consider it difficult to accept Seongnam's request. The governing body are supposedly still examining the reasons as to why Seongnam have lodged their appeal.

You can read the report from Yonhap News by clicking here.