Korean soccer is reeling.
There were reports that internal strife broke out among the national players amid accusations and protests as public opinion on the replacement of the incompetent national soccer team coach Jurgen Klinsmann spread like wildfire.
Son Heung-min dislocated his finger in a physical fight with his teammate ahead of Korea’s shock Asian Cup elimination.
Britain’s The Sun said on the 14th (Korea Standard Time), “Son Heung-min, the captain of the national team, was dissatisfied when some of the young players of the Korean team left to eat quickly and enjoy a table tennis game at the company dinner ahead of the semifinal match against Jordan,” adding, “Son Heung-min got into an argument with them and suffered a dislocated finger in the process.”
The Sun said, “Lee Kang-in was also one of the young players Son Heung-min took issue with.”
He then quoted a source as saying, “Some of the young players ate very quickly and left to play table tennis. When I asked them to come back and sit down, they said something rude to Son,” adding, “He hurt his finger badly while trying to calm everyone down.”
“It was completely unexpected for Korea to lose to Jordan. Korea was ranked the third best team in Asia, 64 places ahead of them,” said The Sun. “Surprisingly, Korea did not make a single shot in last week’s semifinal match in Qatar. Son had to play the game with two fingers on his right hand tied together. After returning to Tottenham, he continued to play with his fingers tied against Brighton.”
If what The Sun reported is true, it will be a big deal. It has been revealed that internal strife is taking place among players in the already chaotic national soccer team due to coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s problems.
Meanwhile, the issue of the replacement of national soccer team coach Jurgen Klinsmann seems to be flying through the Korea Football Association, where Klinsmann was appointed. 꽁머니지급
On the 13th, a civic group filed a complaint against Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, who was accused of being responsible for the appointment of Klinsmann, and some soccer fans held a rally in front of the soccer center and criticized Klinsmann and Chung.
Earlier in the day, the People’s Livelihood Countermeasures Committee (common people’s committee) filed a complaint against Chairman Chung Mong-kyu on charges of coercion, obstruction of business, and breach of duty to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The committee claimed that Chairman Chung interfered with the work of association officials by forcing them to unilaterally appoint Klinsmann.
“The only way to meet the public sentiment is to dismiss Klinsmann and the head coach for incompetence and neglect of their duties regardless of the contract,” the committee said. “If the dismissal of Klinsmann resulted from the defendant’s unilateral salary decision, including the penalty, the amount to be paid for two and a half years if not to be dismissed, and the amount paid after the initial contract is also public money, it is a breach of duty.”
“Coach Klinsmann violated the contract in that he tarnished Korea’s reputation at the Asian Cup in performing as the coach of the Korean national soccer team,” the committee said. “If Klinsmann claims a penalty, we will ask the public for their opinion and seek damages against Klinsmann and the head coach.”
In addition, four soccer fans held a rally in front of the soccer center in Sinmun-ro, Jongno-gu, and criticized Coach Klinsmann and Chairman Chung.
They put up banners saying, “Execute Klinsmann immediately. Disclosure of the background and process of appointment and annual salary standards,” and “Start of reform of the KFA. Resign all Chung Mong-kyu and his staff.” “KFA Chairman Chung Mong-kyu should resign if he is not capable of doing so. And immediately dismiss Klinsmann as well.”
Meanwhile, the Korea Football Association is expected to hold a meeting on the 15th to discuss Klinsmann’s future.