HEUNG-MIN SON has received a public apology – after a massive row saw the Korean players boycott the country’s World Cup media after a video slur.
Former Spurs star Son remains Korea’s most popular player although the skipper was withdrawn mid-way through the second half of the comeback win over the Czech Republic.
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Heung-Min Son has received a public apology Credit: Getty
Leaked audio of South Korean journalists made disparaging and cynical comments about his spell of military service Credit: Getty
But the Korean players blanked their national reporters after the win, refusing to undertake any media commitments apart from the ones demanded by Fifa rules.
That was a response to a leaked audio recording of Korea reporters slamming Son, now playing for LAFC in the MLS, during a training session at the squad’s Mexico base was published.
In the recording, prominent Korean journalists were overheard making disparaging and cynical comments regarding Son’s spell of military national service.
Korean law mandates that every citizen has a 21-month spell in the armed forces but Son’s demand was reduced to just 21 days after he helped the country win the 2018 Asian Cup.
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Similar comments were aimed at other players and the publication brought an angry reaction from the entire squad and the boycott decision.
In a statement, Korean FA chiefs said: “We express our regret over the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel during the national football team’s training at the Guadalajara base camp.
“With a sense of responsibility to represent South Korea on the global stage of the World Cup, the Taegeuk Warriors are doing their best to repay the support and expectations of the people.
“However, the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought.
But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance.
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“While the KFA respects the work of journalists and the role of the media we will continue to prioritise the protection of the squad and strive to create a healthy media environment.”
The extent of the stand-off saw the head of the Korean travelling press pack forced to resign as initial efforts to mediate fell apart.
That saw a new “leadership group” elected, which made a formal face-to-face apology to Son, 33, at the training base.
But some players are still determined to stick to their guns and the KFA have said the squad will decide whether or not to end the boycott after internal discussions over the coming days.
New World Cup 2026 rules
FIFA confirmed several new rules coming into play for the World Cup 2026.
They are:
Outfield players cannot go to technical areas while goalkeeper getting treatment
Five-second countdowns for goal-kicks and throw-ins
Ten-second substitutions – or else one-minute sub entry delay
One minute off field after outfield players get treatment
Three-minute hydration breaks in each half
VAR can intervene over fouls before ball in play for goals, penalties and disciplinary sanctions
VAR can correct wrongly-awarded yellow cards and corners
Red cards for covering mouth in confrontational talk
Red cards for walking off pitch in protest
