“China is a rule of law” vs “judgment should be released by China.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Ning explained Son Joon-ho’s press conference in a regular briefing on the 12th.
“In March this year, Chinese law enforcement agencies publicly ruled on the case of South Korean citizen Son Joon-ho’s alleged bribe of non-state workers,” Maoning said. “There, Son Jun-ho pleaded guilty, reflected in court, and did not appeal.”
“China is a country under the rule of law. Law enforcement agencies deal with cases strictly in accordance with the law and fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of the parties concerned,” he said in a stern voice.
At a press conference held at the Suwon Sports Center on the 11th, Son Joon-ho said, “The investigation by the Chinese public security was coercive. I had no choice but to make a false statement about the threat that raised my family, including my wife and children,” adding, “It is not true that I participated in the match manipulation at all. I demanded the voice file from the Chinese public security during the investigation process.”
The problem was that Jin Jing-dao (Kim Kyung-do), who was close to him at the time, was caught by the police on charges of match fixing and illegal betting. Chinese police asked for the allegation that Son Joon-ho received 200,000 yuan (37 million won) from Jin Jing-dao after he participated in match fixing in Shanghai Hai River in January 2022.
“Public officials told me to admit it. I received the money five to six days after the match against Shanghai. However, it is not illegal. However, the investigation team never admitted to manipulating the match,” Son said. “This is why I was embarrassed by the announcement made by the Chinese Football Association on Wednesday. The money I received from Jin Jingdao was not illegal. I even told the public in person that the money was not made by manipulating the game.”
However, he failed to clearly explain the 200,000 yuan (37 million won) he had come and gone with his close teammate Jin Jing-dao (Kim Kyung-do).
Son Joon-ho was detained in criminal custody after being arrested by public security while trying to return home through Shanghai Hongqiao Airport in May last year and was investigated by the Chaoyang Public Security Bureau in Liaoning Province. Son Joon-ho, who was later investigated on charges of accepting non-state workers, was released in March and returned home after being imprisoned for 10 months.
Son Joon-ho, who has been running until recently in Suwon FC uniform in Korea, held a press conference on the 11th and denied the charges after the Chinese Football Association was permanently expelled on the 10th. He claimed that he received 200,000 yuan (about 37 million won) from his teammate Jin Jingdao, but that he did not engage in illegal transactions such as match-fixing and made a false confession under the threat of Chinese police.
However, the Chinese Football Association has informed FIFA of the punishment of Son’s permanent expulsion. “We confirmed an official letter from the Chinese Football Association on Wednesday,” a source at the Korea Football Association said. “We have imposed permanent expulsion on Son and informed FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation of the matter.”
The information was also notified to FIFA and AFC, and if FIFA reviews the disciplinary action of the Chinese Football Association through the disciplinary committee and shares Son Joon-ho’s disciplinary action with each member country, Son Jun-ho will not be able to play as a soccer player in any country.
If FIFA accepts disciplinary action taken by the Chinese Football Association, Son’s playing career is effectively over. Son’s representative is said to plan to appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if FIFA accepts disciplinary action taken by the Chinese Football Association.
However, Son’s side has not given much meaning to the ruling. Controversy continues as it does not put any meaning on the most important situation. 먹튀검증
Son Joon-ho, who said, “I have never received a judgment,” replied at a press conference the previous day, “I will consider it,” when asked if he would like to read the judgment and disclose it to reporters.
If Son Joon-ho goes to China in person, he can read the verdict. However, Son has no intention of going to China.
Son Joon-ho’s side said, “There is a lot of fear and trauma that Son Joon-ho may be suddenly arrested by public security again,” adding, “I hope the Chinese Football Association will release the ruling on its own during the FIFA disciplinary committee’s review process.”