Tottenham Hotspur’s star forward, Heung-min Son, has publicly apologized for an incident that resulted in the dislocation of his finger, following a confrontation with his South Korea national team teammate, Kang-in Lee, during their time at the Asian Cup. The altercation reportedly erupted over a game of table tennis, which saw Son taking issue with younger squad members playing the sport during dinner time. The disagreement escalated, leading to Son sustaining the finger injury.
The Korean Football Association (KFA) confirmed the events, stating that Son and other senior players had objected to the noise created by the table tennis game, leading to a confrontation with the younger players. The situation escalated when Son grabbed 22-year-old Kang-in Lee by the collar, and although Lee attempted to retaliate, the physical altercation was eventually diffused by their teammates.
In response to the incident, Kang-in Lee, posted an apology on social media, expressing remorse for his behavior and acknowledging his responsibility to show respect towards senior players. This unfortunate incident emerged as part of South Korea’s disappointing Asian Cup outing, adding to the challenges faced by the team and raising questions regarding the position of head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, as the Korean Football Association is set to review his future in light of the team’s performance.
Subsequently, Son’s injury from the altercation did not hinder his return to action for Tottenham Hotspur, as he played a crucial role in their recent victory over Brighton, setting up the game-winning goal. This incident has shed light on the tensions within the South Korean national team, prompting reflections on team dynamics and discipline, and calling for a renewed focus on fostering a harmonious and respectful environment within the squad.
