Robert Moreno Denies AI Accusations as South Korea Names First Roster

Robert Moreno stood before reporters in Cheonan on Monday with a clear mission to put the artificial intelligence controversy behind him and rebuild South Korea's football reputation. The interim coach firmly rejected allegations that he relied on AI tools to prepare for matches during previous roles, calling the reports misleading and exaggerated.

The Spanish tactician found himself at the center of a bizarre scandal following his September 2025 dismissal from Sochi FC, where the Russian club accused him of depending heavily on automated systems for tactical decisions. Moreno pushed back forcefully against these claims during his first official press conference since taking the South Korea job in August.

"If you verify facts, you will see that much of what was reported was taken out of context and blown out of proportion," Moreno insisted, though he acknowledged using standard technology in his daily coaching work. The 48-year-old manager emphasized that reports suggesting he relied on ChatGPT or similar generative tools for team selection and match preparation were simply not true.

This denial comes as Moreno prepares for his debut match on September 24 against Ecuador, with Tottenham star Son Heung-min retaining the captain's armband. The forward's versatility caught Moreno's attention, with the coach noting that Son can effectively operate in three different positions on the pitch.

Moreno inherits a national program in deep distress. His predecessor, Hong Myung-bo, resigned immediately following South Korea's embarrassing group-stage elimination at the 2026 World Cup, leaving the squad in disarray.

The situation deteriorated further when a leaked government audit revealed that Korea Football Association officials had improperly used funds to provide sexual entertainment to foreign referees between 2011 and 2012, forcing the organization to issue a humiliating public apology. Consequently, authorities raided KFA headquarters in August as part of widening investigations into corruption and improper appointments within the governing body.

Moreno faces an uphill battle to restore public trust. He tactfully avoided criticizing his predecessor while acknowledging that losses expose underlying problems that victories typically mask. The coach has six matches to prove his worth before his contract expires in November, using fixtures against Uruguay, Venezuela, and Uzbekistan to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup. For South Korean football fans weary of scandal, Moreno's firm denial of AI dependence marks just the first step in a much-needed rehabilitation process.