The shocking result came out. Son Joon-ho (Suwon FC) was given a severe penalty of permanent expulsion.
The Chinese Football Association announced disciplinary action against footballers involved in corruption and match fixing on the 10th. While a total of 64 names and disciplinary plans were released, Son Jun-ho's name was also mentioned. Son Jun-ho was permanently expelled. The Chinese Football Association said Son Joon-ho pursued negative interests and damaged the athletic spirit. In accordance with the rules of the Chinese Football Association, we will be permanently expelled from football-related activities. Son Joon-ho could not only select the national team, but also his career as a player could be blocked.
China has made a large-scale move to combat corruption and match fixing prevalent in the soccer community. In the process, former Chinese national team coach Littier was sentenced to life in prison for match fixing, and a series of Chinese soccer greats were intertwined. The Chinese Football Association has also stepped up. Disciplinary proceedings have been launched against the footballers.
The Chinese Football Association's move was announced through the announcement of Hong Myung-bo's list on the 26th. Coach Hong did not select Son Joon-ho, who was in good form after returning to the K League 1. In response, Hong said, `Son Joon-ho is watching, but..., There was something that was not yet clear (about China). Of course, it's something we have to ask about whether it's the Chinese Football Association or not, but there were some risks related to this."
The risk that Hong mentioned was 'Disciplinary action by the Chinese Football Association'. The Korea Football Association waited for the results of the Chinese Football Association's punishment of Son Joon-ho. The "judicial proceedings" have been completed, but the Korea Football Association thought that it would not force Son Joon-ho to be selected at a time when the Chinese Football Association's disciplinary action remains. If the Chinese Football Association notifies FIFA of disciplinary action above a certain level, it is applied internationally, so eyes and ears have been focused on the announcement.
In the end, the worst came out. I can't be sure if I can continue my career right away. First of all, the Chinese Football Association emphasized that 'disciplinary action in China' but expressed its intention to expand it through FIFA in the future. The Korea Football Association plans to discuss the incident as soon as it receives an official official letter from the Chinese Football Association. The association has yet to respond.
Son Jun-ho's side is embarrassed. An official from Son Joon-ho said, `The announcement by the Chinese Football Association is not true. It has already been revealed in Chinese courts. We have not yet devised a specific method or plan because we are embarrassed, but we will actively respond to reveal Son Joon-ho's innocence." There is a high possibility that a press conference will be held with Son Joon-ho and Son Joon-ho officials. Suwon FC also said, `After watching the decision of the Korea Football Association, we will take countermeasures in the future.'
Son Jun-ho, who played for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League (part 1) was arrested by public security in May last year while trying to return to Korea from Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai, China. Son Joon-ho tried to return to Korea with his family with the permission of his team's coach, but suddenly the Chinese authorities suspended Son Joon-ho from leaving the country. Son Jun-ho was immediately detained in criminal custody and questioned by the Chaoyang Public Security Bureau in Liaoning Province. 'Criminal detention' is a compulsory investigation conducted temporarily in custody by the necessity of investigation against a current offender or suspect. Son Joon-ho was transferred from Shandong Province, where he stayed, for questioning because the investigation was conducted by public security authorities in Liaoning Province.
The soccer community was shocked by the news of the arrest of an active national team player. The Korea Football Association has started to find out the truth by sending official letters to the Chinese Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation. He dispatched officials directly to China, but returned without much income. At the time, coach Jurgen Klinsmann included Son Joon-ho on the A-match list, but he could not join. Son Heung-min 'Captain'"It's so heartbreaking. We don't know exactly what's going on. Even if you text me, there's no answer in the end. I hope Junho can get good results and come back to the team" sent a message of support.
As there was a strong wind of corruption and corruption prevailing in the Chinese soccer community at the time, match fixing or bribery was mentioned as a major charge. Earlier, Jin Jing-dao, a Korean-Chinese player in Shandong, was arrested, and former Shandong coach Hao Wei was also investigated for misconduct. Son Joon-ho was the first foreign player to be arrested. Son Joon-ho strongly denied the allegations of match fixing and bribery. After detention, the Korean Consulate General in Shenyang met him, but it was reported that they could not talk about the incident. As much as the consular audience, neither the consul nor Son Joon-ho could talk about the allegations. Instead, he only understood that his health condition was okay.
Chinese police switched to an arrest investigation after the criminal detention period for him expired on June 17 last year. The conversion of the arrest investigation meant that it had officially begun the judicial process. A day earlier, China's Foreign Ministry said on the 16th of last month that Son Joon-ho was being investigated on charges of accepting non-state workers. The crime of accepting non-state workers applies when a person belonging to a company or other unit other than a government agency illegally receives the property of another person using his/her job convenience. China's arrest investigation has been in a prolonged atmosphere, with a minimum of two months to a maximum of seven months. As there is limited information about why Son Joon-ho was in this situation, the voice of concern became louder. The government also had difficulty in getting details on the progress of the investigation. To make matters worse, the relationship between Korea and China at that time was at its worst.
Son Joon-ho did not give up. Park Dae-yeon, CEO of NEST, Son Joon-ho's agent, appointed a large Chinese law firm and pleaded not guilty until the end. I did everything I could and supported it in both ways. Son Joon-ho also did not neglect to take care of his body and prepared for a long-term battle. In the new year, major Chinese Football Association executives have been charged, and the atmosphere has changed as judicial process has accelerated. The observation that the Son Joon-ho incident would also be completed soon raised its head. In March, a positive atmosphere unfolded, and as the trial was finally concluded, Son Joon-ho finally became a body of freedom.
Son Joon-ho immediately started to build up his body and tried to return to the ground. In April, the Korea Football Association approved the registration and put the opponent in K5 League's Geonyong FC. Son Joon-ho, who continued his training at his former team, Jeonbuk Hyundai, wore Suwon FC uniforms in a surprise move through the summer transfer market. Son Joon-ho, who improved his condition through replacement, quickly returned to the starting lineup, and Son Joon-ho led Suwon FC's rise with his unwavering performance. He also scored a goal in an away game against Ulsan HD on the 18th of last month. It was the first K-League score in 1,400 days. Son Joon-ho dreamed of returning to the national team, but his wings were broken again by the Chinese Football Association's severe disciplinary action.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
