Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min Clash the Day Before Asian Cup Semifinal... Lee Kang-in Apologizes for Disappointment

Kang-in Lee Issues Public Apology via SNS Mentioning 'Argument'
Stopped by Son Heung-min While Playing Table Tennis the Night Before Quarterfinals
Son Heung-min's Finger Dislocated While Breaking Up Fight Between Two Players

Ahead of the Asian Cup semifinal, Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) issued a public apology regarding reports of a physical altercation within the South Korean national football team.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 14th, Lee Kang-in stated via social media (SNS), "There was a report that I had an argument with Son Heung-min before the Asian Cup semifinal," adding, "I deeply apologize for disappointing the football fans who always support our national team."

Lee Kang-in said, "I should have taken the lead and followed the seniors' words well, but I am sorry for showing an unfavorable side to the football fans," and "I apologize to many who were disappointed in me."

He continued, "I am well aware of the interest and expectations that football fans have for me. From now on, I will work harder to become a better player and a better person by supporting the seniors."

Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) publicly apologized through SNS for the physical altercation that occurred the day before the Asian Cup semifinal. (Photo by Lee Kang-in Instagram)

The national team lost 0-2 to Jordan in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup semifinal. It was revealed through foreign media that a physical clash occurred between captain Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in during dinner the night before the match against Jordan.

On the 13th (local time), British media The Sun reported, "South Korea suffered a shocking defeat against Jordan in the Asian Cup semifinal, and team captain Son Heung-min got into a physical fight with a teammate the day before their elimination, even suffering a finger dislocation."

According to Yonhap News and others, Lee Kang-in finished dinner early with Seol Young-woo (Ulsan) and Jung Woo-young (Stuttgart) and was playing table tennis when captain Son Heung-min intervened. During this, an enraged Son grabbed Lee Kang-in by the collar, and Lee responded with punches. While other players separated them, Son Heung-min’s finger became dislocated.

It is reported that senior players approached coach J?rgen Klinsmann, requesting that Lee Kang-in be excluded from the match against Jordan. Despite the request, Coach Klinsmann did not exclude Lee Kang-in and allowed him to play.

Meanwhile, after returning to his club, Lee Kang-in was left out of the final squad for the 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match against Real Sociedad (Spain). According to the French newspaper Le Parisien, Lee Kang-in was infected with a virus and was ill throughout the night, leading the coaching staff to decide to give him rest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.