Son Jun-ho selected for South Korean soccer team despite being detained in China
South Korea’s soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann has included detained player Son Jun-ho in his team for two international friendlies against Peru and El Salvador on June 16 and 20, despite suspicions he took bribes in China. Son has been held by Chinese authorities for nearly a month since being detained at Shanghai Airport. The bribery allegations concern suspected match-fixing involving coach Hao Wei. Klinsmann, who took over as head coach of South Korea in February, selected the player in his first two games in charge against Colombia and Uruguay in March. The move has been interpreted as a reflection of the coach’s belief that Son is “innocent until proven guilty”.
FAQs
Who is Jurgen Klinsmann?
Jurgen Klinsmann is a former German footballer and coach who was appointed as the head coach of South Korea’s national football team in February 2021.
Who is Son Jun-ho?
Son Jun-ho is a South Korean footballer who plays for Shandong Taishan and was detained by Chinese authorities on suspicion of taking bribes last month.
What are the bribery allegations against Son Jun-ho?
The allegations are linked to suspected match-fixing involving coach Hao Wei.
Why did Klinsmann include Son in the team?
Klinsmann believes that Son is “innocent until proven guilty” and wanted to show support for the player.
What is the current situation with Chinese soccer?
Chinese soccer has had a long-standing reputation for corruption among coaches, team owners, players, referees, and government sports officials. In recent years, authorities have taken steps to clean up the sport, resulting in arrests of several high-profile figures, including former men’s national coach Li Tie.
Despite detention in China, Son Jun-ho chosen for South Korean football squad.
South Korean Soccer Star Detained in China Picked for International Duty
Son Jun-ho, a South Korean soccer player detained in China for almost four weeks, has been selected for international duty in two games against Peru and El Salvador. Despite allegations of bribery related to suspected match-fixing involving Coach Hao Wei, South Korean Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has called him up for the international games to show support and to have some flexibility with the squad. The Chinese Government has investigated the allegations of taking bribes against Son. Several high-profile figures have been arrested due to corruption allegations in Chinese soccer, such as former men’s national coach Li Tie. Son Jun-ho played seven seasons with South Korea’s Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors before joining Shandong Taishan in 2021 on a four-year contract.