The South Korean national football team is in hot water after a British media outlet reported a physical altercation between star striker Son Heung Min and young talent Lee Kang In just before the 2023 Asian Cup semi-final.
The Sun reported that Son, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, dislocated his finger in a “ping pong bust-up” with a teammate on the eve of the match. Apparently, Lee and two other players, Seol Young Woo and Jeong Woo Young, finished dinner early to play ping pong instead of taking the opportunity to bond with their teammates over dinner, which upset Son, the team captain.
Things reportedly escalated when Son grabbed Lee by the collar after an argument, leading to a punch from Lee. Other players intervened, but not before Son’s finger got dislocated in the scuffle. The Korea Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that the reports around the incident were true.
Some other reports even claim that senior players pressured coach Jurgen Klinsmann to bench Lee for the next game against Jordan, but Klinsmann kept him in the lineup. This whole incident has sparked a lot of criticism for Klinsmann, with some accusing him of ignoring a breakdown in team discipline before a crucial match.
Yesterday, Lee Kang In publicly apologized for the “argument” with Son, but stopped short of admitting to any physical altercation. Lee Kang In wrote, “There have been reports that I argued with Son before the Asian Cup semi-final.” He added, “I sincerely apologize to the football fans who always support our national team. I am truly sorry.”
Of course, conspiracy theories are already swirling, with some fans suggesting it’s KFA’s ploy to deflect blame from Klinsmann’s coaching decisions. Meanwhile, the football association is holding a meeting on February 15th to discuss the future of the team, including Klinsmann’s potential dismissal.
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