Daegu FC Triumphs Amid VAR Drama And Refereeing Controversy

What a whirlwind week it’s been for Daegu FC and the K League as a whole! Just when fans thought the season’s drama couldn’t get any thicker, back-to-back matches have thrown the spotlight squarely onto the referees, VAR, and the ever-present debate about fairness in Korean football. Let’s dive into the high-octane action and controversy that’s gripped the league over the past two matchdays.

On October 3, 2025, at Jeju World Cup Stadium, Daegu FC found themselves embroiled in a storm of controversy during their K League 1 32nd round clash with Jeju SK. The match, which had already been simmering with tension, reached a boiling point in the 39th minute. Daegu’s Jang Min-gyu appeared to be tripped by Jeju’s defender in the box—a moment that, for many, screamed penalty. Yet, to the shock of players, coaches, and fans alike, the referee waved play on. Even more bewildering? VAR wasn’t consulted, and there was no communication to clarify the decision. The silence was deafening.

Gus Poyet, Daegu’s head coach, didn’t mince words after the final whistle. Taking to Instagram, he posted a video of the incident, captioning it: “Not a penalty, no VAR, can’t even speak.” His frustration was echoed by his son, Diego Poyet, who serves as Daegu’s analysis coach. Diego posted the same footage, writing, “No VAR review, no penalty given. It’s the same every week,” and even tagged the official K League and KFA accounts for good measure. Diego’s post included a powerful anti-racism slogan, suggesting that the foreign status of the Poyets might be a factor in their perceived mistreatment.

The K League’s disciplinary rules are clear: negative public comments about refereeing, whether in interviews or on social media, can result in suspensions of five to ten matches or fines ranging from 5 million to 10 million won. Even so, Poyet seemed willing to risk punishment to make his point. The slow-motion replay left little doubt—a clear contact between Jeju’s defender and Jang Min-gyu’s ankle. The fact that VAR wasn’t used only fueled suspicions. Some league insiders even speculated that the referee, Lee Dong-jun, deliberately avoided a VAR review, knowing it would likely result in a penalty. “If they’d done an on-field review, they’d have had to give the penalty, so maybe they just pretended not to see it,” one rival club official remarked, clearly exasperated.

Among Daegu supporters, this wasn’t just a one-off. Some pointed to a history of contentious decisions involving Lee Dong-jun, suggesting a pattern that’s hard to ignore. The Korea Football Association’s refereeing committee has promised to review the incident, but for many, the damage to faith in the system has already been done.

As if that wasn’t enough, Daegu FC found themselves back in the headlines just a day later, on October 4, this time for their clash with Gwangju FC at Gwangju World Cup Stadium. The match was a rollercoaster from start to finish, with both teams trading blows in a pulsating 3-2 victory for Daegu. But once again, refereeing decisions—and the use, or misuse, of VAR—were at the heart of the drama.

The game exploded into life early, with Daegu’s Kim Joo-gong winning a penalty after just six minutes, only to see his teammate Sejingya’s spot-kick saved by Gwangju’s keeper, Kim Kyung-min. But VAR intervened, ruling that Kim had come off his line early. Sejingya made no mistake with his second attempt, giving Daegu the lead. From there, Daegu’s counter-attacking prowess shone, with Politician, Jeong Jae-sang, and Kim Joo-gong leading the charge. Despite Gwangju’s greater possession, Daegu looked the more dangerous side.

Gwangju’s coach, Lee Jung-hyo, tried to wrestle back control with an early substitution, but Daegu struck again in the 36th minute, doubling their lead through a slick counterattack finished by Jeong Jae-sang. Gwangju responded almost immediately, winning a penalty of their own when Sim Sang-min was tripped by Lamas. Hayes stepped up and converted, setting up a frantic end to the first half.

Daegu, sensing Gwangju’s momentum, shored up their defense with a tactical substitution before the break. The second half saw more twists, as Gwangju equalized just five minutes in. Daegu’s keeper, Han Tae-hee, fouled Choi Kyung-rok, and Oh Hu-sung slotted home the penalty to make it 2-2. Gwangju pressed hard, with Park In-hyuk and Sim Sang-min causing problems down the flanks, but Daegu weathered the storm.

The turning point came in the 70th minute, when Gwangju’s Jin Si-woo received his second yellow card for a high boot on Daegu’s Edgar, reducing the hosts to ten men. Daegu seized the initiative, making attacking changes and pushing for the win. Gwangju, for their part, brought on Ahn Young-kyu, who set a new club record with his 188th appearance, but the visitors were relentless.

Then, in stoppage time, controversy struck again. Edgar’s header from a corner struck Gwangju defender Byun Jun-soo’s hand, prompting an on-field review. This time, the referee did consult VAR and awarded Daegu a penalty. Sejingya stepped up and coolly converted, sealing a dramatic 3-2 win for Daegu. The match, watched by 188 spectators including VIPs and officials, left Gwangju stuck on 42 points in sixth place, while Daegu’s victory moved them to 26 points and kept their hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone alive.

After the match, Daegu’s players and staff celebrated, but the shadow of officiating controversy lingered. “We’re happy with the win, but the refereeing decisions are hard to understand,” said one staff member, echoing a sentiment felt across the league this week.

The K League and Korea Football Association have both acknowledged the issues and pledged to review the incidents from both matches. Financial aspects of refereeing and VAR—costing anywhere from 3 billion to 10 billion won—have also come under scrutiny as fans demand better standards and transparency.

This week’s events have reignited the debate over technology’s role in football and the human element of officiating. Can the league restore faith in its referees? Or will the controversies continue to overshadow the on-field action?

As Daegu FC looks to build on their crucial win and escape the relegation zone, all eyes will be on how the league responds. For now, the conversation is as much about what happens off the pitch as on it.