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| The official Wolverhampton Wanderers FC club badge on a home shirt on May 3, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. |
In a surprising turn of events, the much-anticipated pre-season trip of the Wolves, a prominent football club, to South Korea has been canceled.
Club officials expressed disappointment with the promoters, citing their failure to meet required deliverables. The unexpected cancellation has left players and fans alike questioning what lies ahead for their upcoming season.
“With great regret, Wolves can confirm that it has been forced to withdraw from its pre-season fixtures and tour to South Korea next month,” Wolverhampton said in a statement Wednesday. “The withdrawal from the scheduled matches, which were set to take place at the end of July, comes after numerous financial and logistical obligations were not met by the tour’s promoter, Stadium X/USG.”the club announced on Thursday.
Wolves had been set to travel to Korea as part of the Korea Tour 2023, a new preseason exhibition series organized by Stadium X and Untouchable Sport Group.
Scottish domestic treble winners Celtic and Europa League finalists Roma were also scheduled to take part in the tour. As of press time Thursday, neither club has officially announced that they are withdrawing.
A representative of Stadium X and Untouchable Sport Group denied that the Korea Tour was facing financial difficulties, telling the Korea JoongAng Daily Thursday that the agencies rely on a number of investors to fund the tour and they are confident they have secured the necessary funding.
For Wolverhampton, the lack of clear funding this close to the start of the tour was too much of a risk.
The Wolves’ canceled pre-season trip to South Korea has left a bitter taste among football enthusiasts. Increased scrutiny now falls upon the promoters who failed to deliver on their commitments.
As alternative preparations kick into gear, the club, players, and fans must draw strength from their shared disappointment and forge ahead, setting their sights on a successful and rewarding football season.