On Wednesday, Son Jun-ho, a South Korean soccer star, vehemently disputed the allegations leveled against him by Chinese officials. He said he had been coerced into giving a fake confession.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced a lifetime ban on 38 players, five officials, and Son the previous day as part of its two-year crackdown on corruption.
Following his release from incarceration in March, the midfielder returned home after nearly ten months in China. Since the issue erupted, he lost his South Korean squad position.
As a condition of his release, Son had promised not to discuss his time in custody, but he chose to speak out after being surprised to learn that he was subject to China's prohibitions. The conditions in which he was confined were terrible, but Son noted that he was not mistreated while detained.
The Chinese Football Association did not respond immediately to Son's comments. The Chinese foreign and public security ministries and the General Administration of Sport also delayed their responses instantly.
The results announced at a news conference on Tuesday by the Chinese government's public security bureau and the General Administration of Sport included the lifelong bans of three former Chinese national team players: Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu, and Gu Chao.
Chinese officials stated that Son, a player for Shandong
Taishan FC in the Chinese Super League, was held in May on suspicion of receiving bribes when apprehended in the country. Now a South Korean club Suwon FC member, Son expressed his desire to keep playing.
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