Son Heung-min's father found guilty of 'abusing' children at Korea academy

The father of Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has been found guilty of abusing children in his football academy in South Korea. The father, Son Woong-jung, physically and verbally abused young footballers alongside another son named Son Heung-yun and a third unnamed coach.

The Chuncheon district court reached the verdict on Friday, as the three men were consequently each handed down a three million won fine (2000€) and were ordered to complete 40-hours in child abuse treatment programs.

Son Heung-min's father was accused of hitting one of the children with a corner flag while at a training camp in Japan in March. The parents of the child claimed that, due to the abuse, their son suffered multiple thigh injuries that needed two weeks of treatment to recover. 

Son Woong-jung denied many of the allegation and told the court that he "never spoke or acted in a way that was not based on love for children" after he was charged with offenses. Following the court's decision, he apologised and vowed to reconsider his coaching methods. The three coaches have been given seven days to launch an appeal against the decision.

 

October 12, 2024