AliousAllegations of Abuse Surface at Son Football Academy
The director of Son Football Academy, Son Woong-jung, along with two coaches, face accusations of mistreating a young athlete, according to local law enforcement.
Son Woong-jung is the father of Son Heung-min, who captains South Korea’s national soccer team.
On March 19, the child’s parents lodged a formal complaint against Son and two academy coaches in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.
They allege that during a training camp in Okinawa, Japan (March 7-12), Son verbally berated their son for underperforming and making errors.
One coach allegedly struck the boy with a corner flag on March 9.
This incident occurred after some trainees failed to complete a running drill within the specified time. Those who didn’t meet the target were reportedly hit while in a pushup stance.
The parents discovered bruising on their son’s thigh upon his return, leading to their awareness of the situation.
A second coach is accused of repeatedly striking athletes on their buttocks and thighs in their living quarters, as well as pulling their hair and hitting their heads.
Son Woong-jung issued an apology to the affected youth and family via Yonhap News Agency.
However, he contested some of the allegations, describing the reported beatings as a form of disciplinary action.
He claimed the plastic corner flag was used only once on the thigh and insisted that all coaching actions were rooted in care for the players.
Acknowledging his failure to adapt to changing societal norms and legal standards, Son pledged to find alternative training methods.
He also alleged that the parents had sought substantial financial compensation, which the academy declined.
The family’s legal representative rebutted Son’s portrayal, asserting that the legal action stemmed from ongoing abusive behavior rather than financial motives.
Son Woong-jung, 62, is a former soccer player himself.
He gained prominence as the father of Son Heung-min, a renowned Tottenham Hotspur player in the English Premier League.
His strict training methods with his son, including admitted use of corporal punishment, have been a subject of debate among South Korean soccer enthusiasts.
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