News: 2020 K League Rule Changes

As the result of a new rule which is set to be implemented, K League managers who have been sent off are no longer allowed to send messages to the bench using electronic devices. Furthermore, players will receive a one-match ban after five yellow cards, two more than the current rule, in a batch of new rules which clubs must adhere to from next season. 

K League season is little over a month away and with new players, new team names in some cases, new kits and new managers, there are also some new rules for clubs to adhere to.

What’s New for 2020?

ASEAN Quota

It was announced last April that there was to be update to the amount of foreign players which any team can register and name in a match day squad from the 2020 season.

Up until 2019, teams were permitted to have three foreign players from any country in the world, plus one extra from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation, commonly referred to as the 'AFC Quota'. But now, teams will be able to sign five foreign players in total with the fifth from an ASEAN nation: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam

Name Changes

Two K League 2 clubs have changed their names. Asan Mugunghwa have now made the transition from a police team to a citizen club and are called Chungnam Asan Football Club. Fellow Chungnam Province neighbours Daejeon Citizen now Daejeon Hana Citizen following Hana Financial Group's takeover.

Suspensions

There has also been an update to the suspensions rule. Up until 2019, a player would receive a one-match ban after accumulating three yellow cards and then multiples of three thereafter. However, in 2020 this will differ: an initial five yellows cards will result in a one-match ban then three further yellows (8 in total) will result in another one-match ban. After which, should a player then pick up two more cautions (10 in total) then it will result in another one-match ban. More than 10 yellow cards may mean further sanctions will be made against the player.

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Sangju Sangmu U22 Rule

Military side Sangju Sangmu were previously exempt from the U22 rule which stipulates that teams must have one player under the age of 22 on the bench and in the starting lineup in order to make three substitutions. However, Sangju gaffer Kim Taehwan will now adhere to the rule. Accordingly, the likes of Jeon Sejin, 19, from Suwon Bluewings, and Oh Sehun, 20, from Ulsan Hyundai have began their military service.

Basic Pay

Minimum wage for K League players has gone up from 20 million won ($17,225) to 24 million won ($20,600) per year. The "B" category for rookie players, which was set at 20 million, will be abolished.

Touchline Bans

Managers or Head Coaches who are under suspension or have been given a red card during a game cannot use electronic equipment to give instructions to the bench.

Away following allocations

The home side must allocate 5% of the stadium capacity for away fans. For example, FC Seoul's Sangam World Cup Stadium has a capacity of 66,704 meaning that there must now be 3,335 seats available for travelling fans. At Daegu FC's DGB Daegu Bank Park, which has a capacity of 12, 415, 620 seats must be made available for away supporters.

Kits

Fans may have noticed that a large number of K League teams have a white away kit. Well, it will no longer be a coincidence as that's because a rule will now stipulate that teams must have a white change strip from 2020 onward. Teams should have home colours for the first kit, white for the away kit and for the away kit to be a different colour, there must be a third kit that is white.

[READ: 2020 K League Kits]