"Rebellion by Lee Kang-in, Strip National Team Qualification"... Complaint to Korea Sports Council

"Restore the Fallen Status Using Lee Kang-in as an Example"

As public criticism against Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), identified as the starting point of the internal conflict within the South Korean national football team, continues to worsen, a petition has been submitted to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee demanding his permanent disqualification from the national team.

Photo by Yonhap News

On the 15th, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee received a petition calling for the resignation of Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, the dismissal of coach J?rgen Klinsmann, and the permanent disqualification of Lee Kang-in from the national team.

The petitioner stated, "Because J?rgen Klinsmann, the football national team coach, failed to establish internal discipline, the authority of senior players within the team was not upheld, leading to an unprecedented incident of insubordination by Lee Kang-in that was broadcast live for all to see."

They pointed out, "At the center of this is the Korea Football Association's 'quick acknowledgment,' seemingly aimed at diverting public opinion." The Korea Football Association, which appointed the unqualified J?rgen Klinsmann as coach, quickly admitted the players' insubordination controversy to deflect criticism directed at themselves.

Furthermore, citing that "the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the Korea Football Association are regulated under Article 24, Paragraph 1, Item 6 of the Sports Fairness Committee Regulations and Article 14, Paragraph 1, Item 6 of the Korea Football Association Fairness Committee Regulations to review disciplinary actions in cases of 'seriously damaging the dignity as sportspeople,'" the petitioner demanded, "The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee should take the resignation of Chung Mong-gyu, the dismissal of coach Klinsmann, and the permanent disqualification of Lee Kang-in from the national team as an example to restore the fallen prestige of South Korean football."

[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the evening of the 6th, ahead of the Asian Cup semi-final match against Jordan, it was revealed that Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in had a dispute that escalated into a physical altercation. When younger players including Lee Kang-in were noisily playing table tennis in a resting area next to the restaurant, Son Heung-min tried to stop them, but Lee Kang-in resisted, leading to the conflict. During this incident, Son Heung-min’s finger was dislocated.

Lee Kang-in’s legal representative, Attorney Kim Garam of Law Office Seoon, stated, "Lee Kang-in deeply regrets and reflects on his mistakes," but also claimed, "Reports that Son Heung-min grabbed Lee Kang-in’s neck and that Lee Kang-in punched Son Heung-min in the face are not true."

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