SEOUL, Sept 11 (Askume) – South Korean footballer Son Joon-ho on Wednesday denied allegations by Chinese authorities that he was involved in match-fixing and bribery while playing in China, saying he made false statements under pressure.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) fined Son Heung-min and five officials yesterday as part of a crackdown on corruptionThe lifetime ban follows a two-year investigation by the Chinese Football Association into match-fixing and gambling.
“I have never been involved in match-fixing,” Sonn told a news conference. “The only evidence they had was my forced false statement,” he cried.
“I was threatened that if I did not accept the charges, my wife would also be arrested and investigated.”
The midfielder lost his place in the South Korean squad after the scandal broke and was released home in March after nearly 10 months of detention in China.
Son said he had agreed not to talk about his time in detention as a condition of his release, but decided to speak out because he was concerned about China’s involvement in the sanctions.
The son said he was not abused while in custody, but the conditions of his detention were harsh.
The Chinese Football Association could not immediately be reached for comment on Son’s remarks. China’s General Administration of Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Ministry of Public Security and the State Sports General Administration announced the lifetime bans for three former Chinese international players, Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao, at a press conference on Tuesday.
When Son was detained in China in May last year, the foreign ministry said Son, who played for Chinese Super League team Shandong Taishan Football Club, was suspected of taking bribes.
Son Heung-min has now signed with South Korean team Suwon FC and hopes to continue his career there.
