Son Jun-ho, a South Korean soccer player, refutes Chinese allegations of match-fixing

In a tearful statement on Wednesday, South Korean soccer player Son Jun-ho denied accusations by Chinese authorities that he was involved in match-fixing and extortion while playing in the country. He also claimed that he made a false confession under duress.

The previous day, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) imposed a lifetime suspension on 38 players, including Son and five officials, as a result of a two-year investigation into match-fixing and gambling. This action was taken as part of a broader campaign against corruption.

Son stated at a press conference that he had never been involved in match-fixing. He added, “The sole evidence they possess is my false confession, which was obtained through coercion.” He then began to weep.

“I was threatened that if I didn’t accept the charges, my wife would be arrested and investigated, too.”

In March, the midfielder was released and returned home after nearly a decade of detention in China, following his departure from the South Korean team following the scandal.

Son stated that he had consented to refrain from discussing his detention as a condition of his release; however, he later decided to speak out due to his surprise at being included in China’s prohibitions.

According to Son, he was not subjected to mistreatment during his detention; however, he characterized the conditions as being extremely harsh.

A response to Son’s statements from the Chinese Football Association was not immediately obtained. The Foreign and Public Security Ministries, as well as the General Administration of Sport of China, did not respond to inquiries for comment immediately.

Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu, and Gu Chao, three former Chinese internationals, were also prohibited for life, according to the public security ministry and the General Administration of Sport of China, which conducted a press conference on Tuesday.

Son, who was playing for the Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan FC, was under suspicion of accepting gratuities when he was apprehended in China last May, according to the foreign ministry.

Son has recently signed with Suwon FC in South Korea, and he expressed his desire to advance in his career.