Soccer player Son Heung-min's father, Son Woong-jung, director of SON Soccer Academy, has been fined for child abuse charges and received a 3-month suspension.
According to Yonhap News on the 21st, the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Soccer Association's Sports Fairness Committee recently decided to impose a 3-month suspension on Director Son and Coach A of SON Soccer Academy as a follow-up measure based on the findings of the investigation by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Sports Ethics Center.
The committee judged that 'the act of verbal abuse occurred incidentally and falls under a minor case equivalent to that.'
The committee also issued a 6-month suspension to Head Coach Son Heung-yoon, stating that 'the act of assault and injury was incidental and there were special mitigating circumstances.'
This corresponds to the lowest penalty level under the Sports Fairness Committee's regulations regarding disciplinary actions for violent behavior. A coach who has received a suspension cannot participate in any competitions held by sports organizations and affiliated entities until the suspension is over.
The attorney for the victimized child, Ryu Jae-yul, noted, 'It is difficult to consider it incidental as the abusive acts have been repeated multiple times,' and requested a retrial. It is also reported that Director Son and two others have filed for a retrial against this disciplinary action.
If the disciplinary subject applies for a retrial, the effectiveness of the discipline is suspended until the review is complete; however, for issues of human rights violations such as violent acts, the effectiveness remains in place even if a retrial is requested, so Director Son and others cannot sit on the bench during the games.
Earlier, in February, the Sports Ethics Center concluded that there was recognition of violent misconduct by three affiliated coaches, including Director Son and Head Coach Son Heung-yoon, following an investigation into the child abuse incident involving youth players at SON Soccer Academy. In October last year, the Chuncheon District Court issued a summary order for a fine of 3 million won to Director Son and two others who were indicted for child abuse under the Child Welfare Act. They were also ordered to complete 40 hours of child abuse treatment programs.
According to the victimized child, on March 9 of last year, while in training in Okinawa, Head Coach Son Heung-yoon struck him on the thigh with a corner kick post, leaving a wound requiring two weeks of treatment. He received instructions from Head Coach Son to run from the goal to the midfield within 20 seconds due to a loss in the match, and when he could not make it in time, he was struck on the buttocks with the corner kick post while lying down.
During the training period from March 7 to 12, also in Okinawa, he was verbally abused by Director Son for mistakes, as well as for inadequate performance in basic training and matches. Players from the academy were struck in the buttocks and calves repeatedly by Coach A in the lodging where they lived together, and their sideburns were pulled or their heads were struck as well.