A bust-up between star players Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in at the Asian Cup made headlines in South Korea (Jung Yeon-je)
Lee Kang-in was named in South Korea’s squad on Monday for World Cup qualifiers this month despite a bust-up with skipper Son Heung-min at the Asian Cup.
Tottenham star Son was left with a dislocated finger after clashing with Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lee before South Korea’s semi-final loss to Jordan last month.
Lee subsequently apologised after Yonhap news agency said the 23-year-old had tried to punch Son. Lee’s representatives have denied there was a punch.
Son later posted a picture on social media of the pair smiling and arm in arm, alongside a message urging South Korean fans to forgive Lee.
South Korea’s new interim coach Hwang Sun-hong, who took over last month when Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked following the Asian Cup exit, said he had spoken to both players before picking his squad.
“Lee Kang-in wanted an opportunity to apologise to fans and his team-mates from the bottom of his heart, and Son Heung-min said we should all embrace Kang-in and move forward,” Yonhap quoted Hwang as saying.
“I don’t think this is a problem only between the two of them,” he added.
“Everyone who was there, from players to coaches to members of the support staff, has to take responsibility.
“In the next two matches against Thailand we should all be prepared to atone for our mistakes in front of our fans.”
The conflict was reportedly triggered by younger players — including Lee — rushing through their dinner so they could leave early and play table tennis.
This angered some of the older players, including Son, who wanted to honour long-standing tradition that the pre-game dinner be a team-bonding experience, triggering the brawl.
Lee and Son both played in the 2-0 loss to Jordan, the latter with two of his fingers strapped together.
Both are now set to feature against Thailand home and away in World Cup qualifiers on March 21 and 26.
“Based on my experience as a national team player, I think issues like this can end up making the team even tighter the faster you address them,” said Hwang.
The Korea Football Association hopes to have a new full-time coach in place before qualifiers against Singapore and China in June.
Until then, Hwang will combine his duties as Under-23 coach and will take South Korea to the U23 Asian Cup in Qatar in April, where places at the Paris Olympics are up for grabs.
Under Klinsmann, South Korea began World Cup qualifying with wins over Singapore and China.
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