The South Korean national team is going through a tense and stressful time just a few days before facing Mexico, due to disagreements with representatives of the country’s media who traveled to cover the team’s training camp in Guadalajara.
Tuesday’s practice was held behind closed doors, as required by World Cup policies, given the upcoming match between the Asian team and Mexico this Thursday.
Controversy Involving Son Heung-min Triggers a Crisis
Tensions with the Korean press have been escalating following a live broadcast.
This took place during the team’s first training session on Mexican soil, during which Mexican journalists could be heard criticizing captain and star player Son Heung-min.
With regard to the fact that he did not complete his military service as required by his country’s law.
“He runs as if he were in the military. And he didn’t even finish his military service.”
The video mentions the special exemption granted to the player after he won the gold medal with his national team at the 2018 Asian Games.
South Korea will face Mexico this Thursday
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A couple of days later, the national team members expressed their frustration and called a meeting exclusively for representatives of that country’s press.
At the same time, the players decided to show their support for Son.
They refused to participate in the press conferences that the national team organized just minutes before practice began.
In addition, the coaching staff decided to cancel the individual interviews that had been previously scheduled with certain media outlets (Filed under: South Korea Arrives Under Pressure).
South Korea Demands an Apology
This caused some upset among Korean journalists, who criticized the federation’s members.
This further fueled the tensions and led the Asian team to demand an apology from those responsible.
Otherwise, the scheduled interviews could not be rescheduled.
Last Monday, the South Korean Football Association issued a statement expressing regret over the “inappropriate comments” that caused “great shock and disappointment within the team.”
And he asked journalists to show “greater consideration and a responsible attitude toward the national team and the players” to prevent these situations from happening again.
They also called on journalists and the public to show unity and support for their national team, which is competing in its 11th World Cup.
And they are about to face one of the toughest matches of the group stage (Filed under: South Korea Under Pressure).
Uncertainty over the media blackout continues
The statement was deleted from the federation’s social media accounts a few hours later.
Meanwhile, Son was holding a meeting during which the journalists apologized to the attacker.
Although, according to some witnesses, the player did not make it clear whether they would maintain the ban on the press from his country.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo and a player are expected to hold a press conference for international media this Wednesday.
This is part of the activities scheduled by FIFA leading up to the games (Filed under: South Korea Arrives Under Pressure).
With information from EFE
The appointment of the referee is causing concern
The appointment of Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera to officiate the match between Mexico and South Korea has sparked debate in the South Korean media.
They believe their team could be at a disadvantage due to communication issues.
According to local media reports, some fans and analysts are questioning FIFA’s decision to select a Spanish-speaking referee.
For an event where all Mexican soccer players will be able to speak directly with him.
Meanwhile, on the Asian team, only Lee Kang-in would be able to do so in Spanish.
The criticism is not directed at the Uruguayan referee’s ability or impartiality, but rather at the criteria used to appoint him.
The Korean media argue that it would have been more appropriate to appoint a referee whose native language was different from that of either team.
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