Tottenham star Son’s father accused of abusing young player at South Korean academy
Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min’s father, Son Woong-jung, has been accused of verbally abusing a young player at his football academy in South Korea.
According to a police interview transcript obtained by AFP from a lawyer, these allegations have brought significant attention to Son Woong-jung, a prominent figure in South Korean football.
The family of a 12-year-old boy, identified only as Kim, reported that he was subjected to foul language shortly after enrolling at Son Woong-jung’s academy in November. Kim alleged that during a passing practice, he was called out by Coach Son for making a mistake, which led to a series of verbal abuses.
Kim detailed the incidents to the police, stating that he was repeatedly targeted with offensive names by Coach Son. Additionally, Kim claimed that Son Heung-yun, the brother of Tottenham’s star player Son Heung-min, struck him with a corner flag, resulting in a large bruise on his left thigh.
Son Heung-yun has previously mentioned that both he and his brother Son Heung-min were frequently hit by their father during training, which he described as unimaginable by today’s standards. This tough love approach, as described by Son senior, was intended to prevent the young athletes from becoming “failed athletes.”
The family’s lawyer, Ryu Jae-yool, emphasized that this case represents a culmination of long-standing child abuse disguised as a training method. Son Woong-jung and his coaches are currently under investigation and could face fines or court proceedings if the allegations are found to be serious enough.
Ryu Jae-yool expects that Son Woong-jung will be indicted and tried in court, a move that he believes will help eradicate physical and verbal abuse against youth athletes in South Korea.
The family has also reported the incident to the state-run Korea Sport Ethics Centre, which is conducting its own investigation.
As part of the ethics investigation, authorities will question young players to determine if they have experienced any form of verbal or physical abuse. If wrongdoing is found, the case will be referred to law enforcement for further action.
These allegations have sparked a broader discussion about training methods and the treatment of young athletes in South Korea. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how sports academies operate and the standards they are held to in the future.
The allegations against Son Woong-jung are serious and highlight a critical issue within youth sports training. As the investigation unfolds, the focus will be on ensuring the protection of young athletes and addressing any abusive practices that may exist.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical treatment in sports and the need for strict oversight to prevent abuse.
Support us by Donating
[wpedon id=”13152″ align=”center”]
Read Also: Ange wants it done: Spurs pushing to sign £60m CF who like Harry Kane opinion
Read Also: Tottenham now plan to replace Hojbjerg with new masterclass signing – Journalist
Read Also: Very Shocked: Journalist claims he would be amazed if Tottenham did ‘terrific’ swap deal