On October 11, Son Woong-jung, a well-known football coach and father of football star Son Heung-min, was recently fined by a local court for committing child abuse in his training academy.
In particular, Son Heung-min’s father Son Woong-jung, his other son Son Heung-yun and another coach from Son Football Academy were sentenced to pay a fine of 3 million won (about $2,220). following allegations of child abuse. .
They are also ordered to attend 40 hours of child abuse treatment programs.
Previously, in March, the parents of a child enrolled at the Son Football Academy reported Son Heung-min’s father and his staff to the authorities. According to them, their child was physically injured during a training camp held in Japan.
Specifically, they accused Son Heung-yun of attacking their child with a corner flag, forcing him to receive 2 weeks of treatment. On top of that, they accused Son Woong-jung of being verbally abusive during the same training camp.
Two months after the charges, prosecutors indicted coaches at the Son Football Academy for mistreating young players.
Despite being found guilty, Son Heung-min’s father defended himself, claiming that the accusations are mostly false. According to the coach, he simply showed care, desire and passion to develop the talents of children in his academy.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min himself once stated that his father forced him to train for hours as a child.
Source: The Korea Times
