SUWON, SOUTH KOREA:
South Korea World Cup participant Son Jun-ho broke down in tears Wednesday as he denied match-fixing and accused China of blackmail after they banned him for all times.
Son, who performed for Shandong Taishan within the Chinese language Tremendous League, was accused by the Chinese language Soccer Affiliation (CFA) of taking part in match-fixing and was detained for 10 months final yr
The midfielder, who appeared in three of South Korea’s 4 matches on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, returned to South Korea in March after being detained in Might 2023.
However he was one in all 43 individuals banned for all times this week by Chinese language authorities over alleged playing and match-fixing.
A weeping and visibly emotional Son informed reporters that his arrest had been an “overwhelming shock”.
He stated he had been threatened by Chinese language police together with his household, together with his youngsters, used as bargaining chips to power him to admit to the fees.
“The Chinese language police offered ridiculous prices,” he stated.
“They threatened that if I did not admit to the fees, my spouse can be arrested by way of the international ministry and dropped at the identical detention centre to be investigated with me,” he stated.
He stated he was not given ample Korean translations or entry to a lawyer, and when he realised Chinese language police had been accusing him of bribery, he was “dumbfounded”.
“I stated I hadn’t finished something like that,” the 32-year-old stated, continuously having to cease speaking to wipe away tears.
Son was held “on suspicion of accepting bribes by non-state staff” with out being given particulars and he stated his household had been used to extract a confession.
“Whereas displaying me photos of my daughter and son on my telephone, they pressured me, saying: ‘What did the youngsters do to deserve this?’,” Son informed reporters.
“‘In case your spouse comes right here too, how will the youngsters handle? Do not you suppose your youngsters wish to see their father? So admit it shortly’.”
He stated he was provided a deal by Chinese language police, who informed him if he admitted his guilt he can be launched shortly.
“Overwhelmed with worry and concern for my household, I had no alternative however to confess to prices I did not even perceive, simply to return to my household shortly,” he stated.
He stated Chinese language police ought to launch the audio information of his interrogation to indicate “how they coerced a confession from me.”
“I wish to clear my identify with absolute transparency. The one proof that they had was my false confession, obtained by way of the extreme strain of their early interrogation techniques.”
Below President Xi Jinping, Beijing has deepened a crackdown on corruption in Chinese language sports activities lately, particularly soccer, and jailed quite a few high officers.
Xi is a self-confessed soccer fanatic who has stated he desires of China internet hosting and profitable the World Cup.
However that ambition seems additional away than ever after repeated corruption scandals and years of disappointing outcomes on the pitch.
Following his return, Son joined South Korea’s fifth-tier league earlier than making it to top-league staff Suwon FC in June. Son was not chosen for the nationwide squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers over the previous week because of the “threat” related to the Chinese language allegations, the staff’s head coach, Hong Myung-bo, stated when he introduced the squad final month.
