The father of the star of Tottenham HotspurSon Heung-min, was accused of verbally abusing a young player at his academy football in south koreaaccording to a transcript of a police interview given to AFP by a lawyer on Monday.
Former footballer Son Woong-jung is a public figure in South Korea and is the author of a best-selling memoir detailing how he helped his son become one of the best strikers in the English Premier League.
But the family of a 12-year-old boy, identified only as Kim, told police he was the target of foul language just weeks after his enrollment in Son’s senior academy in November.
“Coach Son called me out for making a mistake during a passing practice,” Kim said in the interview.
The coach went on a tirade of foul and abusive language and called the boy several offensive names on multiple different occasions, Kim told police investigating the academy.
The boy was also allegedly hit with a corner flag by Son Heung-yun, the Tottenham striker’s brother, leaving a large bruise on his left thigh.
Son Heung-yun previously said that he and Son Heung-min were “beaten a lot by our father when training, which is unimaginable these days.”
“Some of our neighbours even doubted that he was our real father,” she told AFP in an interview in 2019.
Son Senior described his actions at the academy as tough love designed to prevent his young charges from becoming “failed athletes.”
He says he tried to resolve the issue with the family amicably, but said they were demanding an excessive settlement payment.
Ryu Jae-yool, the lawyer representing Kim, told AFP the case reflected a “culmination of years of child abuse disguised as a training method.”
They are seniors and their coaches are under investigation and could face fines or, if deemed serious enough, the case will go to court, Ryu said.
“I hope Son will be charged and tried in court,” Ryu said, adding that this would “contribute to ridding the country of physical and verbal abuse against young people.”
Separately, Kim’s family has also reported Son senior to the Korea Sports Ethics Center for investigation.
As part of the investigation, authorities will question young players to determine whether they have suffered verbal or physical abuse and will refer the case to police if a crime is found.
Source: With information from AFP