South Korean soccer player Son Jun-ho, who was detained in China over bribery allegations, has been released and returned home. Son, a former member of South Korea’s national team, was detained in May at Shanghai airport on suspicion of taking bribes. He had previously played for Shandong Taishan in China and won the Chinese championship in 2021. The South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed that Son had returned to South Korea but did not provide further details on his case or whether the charges against him were proven.
Despite his detention in China, Son was still selected to play for South Korea’s national soccer team. The Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that Son had returned to South Korea on Monday afternoon. The bribery allegations against Son were reportedly related to suspected match-fixing involving the team’s coach, Hao Wei. The South Korean ministry stated that they had been in communication with Chinese authorities to ensure a fast and fair process for Son, as well as providing assistance and ensuring fair access to lawyers for him.
Son, who is 31 years old, has played for South Korea’s Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors before joining Shandong Taishan in 2021 on a four-year contract. He has represented South Korea in 18 matches, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Chinese soccer industry has long struggled with corruption and match-fixing issues, and Son’s detention is just one example of the challenges faced by the country’s soccer authorities in cleaning up the sport.
Chinese authorities detained Son Jun-ho at Shanghai airport in May on suspicion of taking bribes, sparking a nearly year-long investigation into the allegations. The Foreign Ministry in South Korea confirmed that Son had been released and returned home, but did not provide details on the outcome of the investigation or any charges that may have been brought against him. The ministry stated that they had conducted consular interviews with Son and provided assistance to him throughout the process.
Son’s return to South Korea comes after a period of uncertainty and legal proceedings in China. The soccer player had been detained over bribery allegations related to suspected match-fixing involving his former team’s coach. Despite the challenges he faced, Son was still selected to play for South Korea’s national team, demonstrating his continued commitment to the sport despite the controversy surrounding him. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to address corruption and match-fixing in Chinese soccer and the challenges faced by players and authorities in navigating these issues.
Overall, Son Jun-ho’s detention in China and subsequent release have raised questions about the state of soccer in the country and the ongoing efforts to address corruption and match-fixing. His return to South Korea marks the end of a challenging period for the star player, who has represented South Korea on the international stage. The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between authorities in different countries to address corruption in sports and ensure a fair and transparent process for all involved.
