The physical altercation that led to Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea’s captain, Son Heung-min, suffering a dislocated finger had been brewing for several weeks.
The atmosphere within the South Korea camp during the Asian Cup held in Qatar over the past month was far from cohesive, marked by divisions at every turn. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s leadership divided opinions, and there was a perceived lack of team unity within the group.
A divide seemed apparent between the prominent players such as Son, Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, and Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, and the less experienced members of the team.
Son, the 31-year-old captain, reportedly believed that some of the younger players did not approach the tournament — equivalent to the Euros or Copa America on a four-year cycle for the Asian federation and a competition South Korea hadn’t won in 64 years — with the necessary seriousness. However, individuals like the 22-year-old Lee contested this viewpoint.
According to a source close to one of the players as reported by The Athletic last week, the team failed to deliver a fully collective performance across their six matches — three in the group stage and three in the knockout phase.
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Dispute Erupts in South Korean National Team Camp After Their Semi-Final Exit
The tension reached its peak last Monday, on the eve of their 2-0 semi-final loss to Jordan, when several younger players, including Lee, expressed a desire to leave the team dinner early to play table tennis.
Son opposed this idea and forcefully expressed his disagreement, leading to a heated exchange between him and Lee. As the altercation escalated, involving multiple players, Son ended up dislocating a finger while attempting to intervene. Reports also suggest that Lee was pushed in the chest and reacted with anger.
A spokesperson for the South Korea FA (KFA) confirmed the incident to the Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday, stating, “It happened when some young players went up to play table tennis, and Son Heung-min and other older players took issue with it. The players exchanged a few words, and Son hurt his finger in the process.“
The subsequent events are subject to conflicting accounts. Some sources claim that certain squad members suggested to Klinsmann that Lee be omitted from the semi-final match. However, others deny this claim, with Son reportedly expressing fondness for Lee and harboring no grievances against him. It’s suggested by some that the issue was more about upholding team standards and conduct.
Nevertheless, the revelations indicate significant discord within the South Korean team during the Asian Cup. These developments prompt numerous questions about the internal dynamics and management of the team.
Speculation Surrounds South Korea FA’s Response Amid Calls for Klinsmann’s Dismissal
The swift confirmation of the incident by the typically reserved South Korea FA (KFA) has raised questions, with speculation in the country suggesting it was a strategic move to deflect attention away from the widely criticized Jurgen Klinsmann. Many supporters are calling for Klinsmann’s dismissal following a disappointing Asian Cup campaign. Despite reaching the semifinals, South Korea’s performance was lackluster, marked by drawn group matches and narrow victories achieved through penalties and late equalizers.
Upon his return to Korea, Klinsmann faced scrutiny and tough questioning, with inquiries about his resignation being among the first asked during his post-tournament press conference at Incheon Airport in Seoul, where an impassioned public had gathered.
Some believe that the leak of the altercation story stems from individuals seeking Klinsmann’s dismissal, as a means of highlighting the perceived lack of control under his leadership. Klinsmann, appointed less than a year ago, reportedly underestimated the disharmony and lack of team cohesion within the squad.
Klinsmann had hoped that thrilling victories against Saudi Arabia and Australia would unite the players as they progressed through the knockout stages. However, following the unexpected defeat to Jordan in the semifinals, he publicly criticized his own team, stating that their opponents exhibited greater desire, remarking, “They wanted it more.”
The pressure extends beyond Jurgen Klinsmann to the man who appointed him, KFA president Chung Mong-gyu. Chung embarked on a search for a high-profile manager, ultimately selecting the former Germany, Tottenham, Bayern, and Inter Milan striker with the aim of enhancing the country’s international standing. Despite facing public backlash, Chung is reportedly committed to seeing this project through.
Since the defeat to Jordan, Chung and Klinsmann have met twice and both seem determined to continue despite the public’s disapproval. When asked if he would resign, Klinsmann responded with a light-hearted remark, laughing and saying, “Nice question!”
Intense Training Sessions and Internal Discord: The Lead-up to South Korea’s Asian Cup Disappointment
According to a reports, the pre-Asian Cup training camp in Abu Dhabi, led by Klinsmann, was characterized by highly intense training sessions. An anonymous source familiar with the situation described the players as being “run ragged” and stated that Klinsmann “absolutely battered them, they were exhausted.”
This intense training environment set the stage for the physical altercation that occurred last Monday, further exacerbated by the perception that this squad represents South Korea’s golden generation of players, featuring stars from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, and the in-form Hwang from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The prevailing sentiment among the team was a feeling of squandering what was considered South Korea’s best opportunity in years to secure their first Asian Cup title since 1960. This mood lingered on the night before their defeat to Jordan.
Insiders reveal that internal issues within the national team have been brewing for some time. Traditionally, while the age-based hierarchy in Korean society has relaxed to some extent, it is still considered impolite for younger players to leave before their elders have finished their meals, adding another layer of tension to the situation.
Lee Kang-in Apologizes, Fans Support Son Heung-min: Uncertainty Looms Over South Korea’s National Team Future
Lee expressed remorse and pledged to show more respect to senior players in the future in a message posted on his Instagram story on Wednesday. He apologized to football fans for his behavior and committed to becoming a better player and person by supporting senior players moving forward.
“There was an article about me having a verbal argument with Son ahead of the Asian Cup semi-final. I am very sorry to disappoint football fans who are always supporting the South Korea international team. I had to follow senior (older) players in the team, but I am sorry that I showed not nice behavior to football fans. I apologize to all fans who were disappointed in me. I will try to be a better player and person helping senior and older players from now on.”
However, the majority of South Korean fans have sided with Son and the more experienced players, criticizing Lee for his actions toward the team’s captain, who is nine years his senior. Many perceive the incident as indicative of broader dysfunction within the national team rather than individual shortcomings.
The long-term impact on the players’ reputations and their willingness to continue representing their country remains uncertain. Klinsmann confirmed on Sunday that Son would continue playing for Korea despite the recent events.
Klinsmann himself is scheduled to meet with the KFA on Thursday amid ongoing fallout from the Asian Cup exit. Reports from South Korea suggest that KFA members will urge for his resignation during the meeting. Klinsmann, whose contract extends for another two-and-a-half years until the 2026 World Cup, will attend the meeting virtually from his home in the US.
South Korea’s next match is in just over a month, facing Thailand in a home World Cup qualifier on March 21. Reconciliation efforts will likely be necessary to address the current discord within the team.
