The Korea Football Association (KFA) has revealed that sanctions could be imposed on Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in after their brawl in the 2023 Asian Cup.
After South Korea’s disappointing semi-final exit at the 2023 Asian Cup, news of the pre-match dinner between captain Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in quickly emerged. The Tottenham Hotspurs player reportedly dislocated his finger during the fight.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was fired by the KFA after the incident. KFA President Chung Mong-gyu also spoke about possible sanctions against Son and Lee at a press conference on Friday regarding the dismissal of the German coach.
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South Korean midfielder Son Heung-min (number 7) shoots to score his team’s second goal during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 quarter-final football match between Australia and South Korea South, as midfielder Lee Kang-in (number 18) looks on at Al- Janoub Stadium in al-Wakrah, south of Doha, on February 2, 2024. Photo AFP |
According to South Korean media, Chung noted that since Son and Lee play for their own clubs, the only disciplinary action that can be taken against them is not to be called up to the national team. This topic will be discussed in more detail with Coach Klinsmann’s successor.
Aside from the sanctions imposed on the players involved in the melee, determining who was in the wrong is also a matter of great concern for fans.
According to media reports, the fight began after Lee and other young players rushed through their dinner so they could play table tennis.
Son and some of the older players, on the other hand, wanted to honor the tradition of team bonding at the pre-match dinner, which led to the brawl and left Son with an injured finger.
Both Lee and Son played in the defeat to Jordan.
“The incident happened at a very sensitive time. I think now is not the time to talk too much about who was right and who was wrong, because that could rub even more salt into the wound,” he said. Chung said.
Son hinted at a possible retirement from the national team after the 2023 Asian Cup, while apologizing to fans in a social media post.
The South Korea national team returns to action in March with two matches against Thailand in the second qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If the KFA wants to enforce the sanction, it is unlikely that Son and Lee get the cap next month.
