Why Was There No Red Card for China’s Foul on Lee Dong-gyeong? Inside the VAR Controversy at the EAFF E-1 Championship

A Night of Drama: The Foul That Shocked Korean Fans

Did you know that the opening match of the 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship between South Korea and China wasn’t just about goals and tactics? The real drama unfolded when China’s Gao Tienyi committed a reckless foul on Lee Dong-gyeong, stepping hard on his foot. Korean fans in the stadium and online were outraged, expecting a red card. But to everyone’s disbelief, only a yellow card was shown. This moment quickly became the talk of the night, overshadowing even South Korea’s 3-0 victory.
What made this incident even more controversial was the absence of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in the tournament. Fans and pundits alike questioned how such a blatant foul could go unpunished, fueling debates across sports communities and social media.

Why Was There No VAR? The Rules and Realities of the EAFF E-1 Championship

The burning question on everyone’s mind: why wasn’t VAR used in such a major international tournament? The answer is surprisingly simple—budget constraints. The EAFF and the local organizing committee decided not to implement VAR for the 2025 tournament, citing the high costs associated with the technology. While VAR has become a staple in most top-tier competitions since 2016, its absence here left referees with no option to review or overturn decisions, even in cases of dangerous play.
This decision drew criticism from both Korean and Chinese media, with many arguing that the lack of VAR undermined the fairness and integrity of the competition. For overseas fans, it’s important to understand that while Korea is known for its technological prowess, not all tournaments have the resources or willingness to adopt the latest innovations.

Community Reactions: Outrage, Sarcasm, and Calls for Change

Korean football communities like DC Inside, FM Korea, and PGR21 exploded with comments after the match. On DC Inside, the top comment read, 'If this isn’t a red card, what is?' while another user sarcastically wrote, 'Maybe the referee left his red card at home.' On FM Korea, fans debated whether the absence of VAR was a deliberate move to save costs or just poor planning. The sentiment was overwhelmingly negative, with many calling for stricter regulations and better officiating standards in future tournaments.
Meanwhile, on Naver and Daum, blog posts and comment sections were filled with frustration. One Naver blogger wrote, 'This is why Korean football can’t move forward—basic safety isn’t guaranteed.' Others pointed out that Korean players now have to worry about their safety in international matches, not just their performance.

Cultural Insights: Why Korean Fans Care So Deeply About Fair Play

To truly understand the uproar, overseas readers need to grasp the cultural context. In Korea, football isn’t just a sport—it’s a point of national pride. Fair play and respect for the rules are deeply valued, and any sign of injustice, especially in matches against rivals like China or Japan, is taken personally by fans. The idea that a dangerous foul could go unpunished because of missing technology feels like a betrayal of these values.
Moreover, the rivalry between Korea and China in football has always been intense. Every incident, big or small, is magnified in the eyes of the fans. The absence of VAR in this context wasn’t just a technical issue; it became a symbol of perceived unfairness and neglect.

The Match Beyond the Controversy: South Korea’s Tactical Mastery

Lost in the controversy was the fact that South Korea played an excellent match. Coach Hong Myung-bo’s experimental 3-4-3 formation worked wonders, with Lee Dong-gyeong scoring a beautiful early goal and orchestrating attacks from the midfield. Joo Min-kyu and Kim Ju-sung added to the tally, sealing a comfortable 3-0 win. The team’s performance, especially from domestic league players, showed depth and resilience.
However, the shadow of the foul lingered. Even as fans celebrated the win, many couldn’t shake off the feeling that the game could have taken a dangerous turn if the referees had lost control due to the lack of technological support.

International and Chinese Media: Criticism and Reflection

Chinese media were also critical, not just of the officiating, but of their own team’s performance. Outlets like Sohu described the match as 'embarrassing,' highlighting both the lack of courage from Chinese players and the controversy surrounding the foul. Internationally, the incident was picked up by sports news sites and blogs, with many expressing surprise that a tournament of this scale would forgo VAR.
Some Chinese fans, interestingly, also questioned the absence of VAR and called for reforms in both their own football system and the tournament’s organization. This shared frustration across borders shows how football can unite fans in demanding better standards.

What’s Next? Lessons for Future Tournaments and Korean Football

The aftermath of the incident has sparked calls for change. Football associations, both in Korea and across Asia, are now under pressure to ensure that VAR or similar technologies are standard in all major competitions. Fans are demanding more transparency and accountability from organizers.
For Korean football, the incident is a reminder that progress isn’t just about winning matches—it’s about protecting players and upholding the spirit of the game. As the EAFF E-1 Championship continues, all eyes will be on how officials handle future controversies and whether lessons are truly learned.

A Final Word: Why Overseas Fans Should Care

If you’re an overseas football fan, this incident is more than just a local controversy. It’s a window into the passion, expectations, and frustrations of Korean football culture. It shows how much the game means to people here, and why issues of fairness and safety are always front and center. So next time you watch a match from the EAFF or any Asian tournament, remember—the drama isn’t just on the pitch. It’s in the hearts and voices of millions of fans, both online and off.