Uli Stielike, the head coach of the South Korean men’s national football team, on Tuesday lamented a recent rise in political meddling in the top domestic league, saying politics and sports should be separated.

Stielike held a luncheon meeting with head coaches of teams in the first division K League Classic on Tuesday in Seoul, his first conference with pro club coaches since taking over South Korea in October.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Stielike said it was “regrettable” that there have been political interventions in football.

Lee Jae-myung, owner of Seongnam FC and mayor of the club’s home city, Seongnam, was recently disciplined by the K League for his open criticism of officiating.

Lee, a representative of an opposition party, cried foul and said the league should also consider punishing Gyeongnam FC owner Hong Joon-pyo, governor of the team’s home province, South Gyeongsang, and a member of the ruling Saenuri Party.

Hong had also criticized the state of officiating in the league.

Separately, Hong said he would put Gyeongnam FC through a “special audit” after the team was relegated to the second division for the first time this year and will consider disbanding the club altogether.

Stielike said politics should stay out of sports.

“Promotions and relegations are all part of life in football,” the former German international said.

“It’s regrettable that politics has taken precedence over players and clubs.”

Other K League Classic coaches echoed Stielike’s sentiment.

Cho Jin-ho, head coach of Daejeon Citizen, which earned a promotion to the top division for next season, said politics ultimately won’t help teams perform better.

“We’d appreciate it if team owners and governors would try to steer teams in the right direction,” Cho added.

During their luncheon, Stielike and the K League Classic coaches discussed the national team’s preparation for the AFC Asian Cup tournament, scheduled to open next month in Australia, and how the domestic league can cooperate.

Stielike will open an early Asian Cup camp Monday on Jejudo Island with 28 players from the leagues in South Korea, China and Japan.

He had earlier thanked the K League Classic coaches for making their players available even though they weren’t under any obligation to do so.

Choi Yong-soo, head coach of FC Seoul, said Stielike came across as “a man of conviction and principle,” and that it was important for pro club coaches to support Stielike in his preparation for the Asian Cup. Stielike said he hopes to have another meeting with the K League Classic coaches that focuses on more technical issues. (Yonhap)