Lee Kang-in flew to London to apologize to South Korea teammate Son Heung-min for his role in their altercation at the Asian Cup.
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Lee, Son finally make amends
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder personally visited the South Korea national football team captain to make amends.
“I think it’s important to meet Son Heung-min in person and give him my sincere apology,” Lee wrote on his Instagram post. “I understood his pressure as a team captain and took the time to reflect on myself.”
“From now on, I will be the Lee Kang-in who works harder and dedicates himself to being a better footballer and a better person,” he wrote.
The dust-up between Lee and Son occurred before South Korea’s disappointing 0-2 loss to Jordan in the semifinals.
During dinner, the 31-year-old Son reprimanded the young players, including the 23-year-old Lee, for being loud and disruptive.
A brawl ensued between Lee and Son, resulting in the latter’s dislocated finger.
The media and fans called it the biggest scandal in the history of South Korea national football team.
The Lee-Son melee played a factor in the sacking of coach Jurgen Klinsmann after 12 months in the post.
“I did something that I should have never done in the dining room that day. I didn’t listen to him, a captain, a brother, and a teammate who was trying to unite the team. Respect and dedication to the team is the most important thing, but I lacked a lot of it,” Lee added.
Aside from Son, Lee also contacted every single player in the national team to apologize.
Son, who acknowledged Lee’s apology, asked the fans to move on from the incident.
“Lee is having a tough time after the incident,” Son wrote. “Please forgive him with an open heart for once.”
“From now on, I will try to understand my teammates better. Once again, as the captain of the South Korea national team, I sincerely apologize,” he wrote.
“Lee is having a tough time after the incident,” Son wrote. “Please forgive him with an open heart for once.”
“From now on, I will try to understand my teammates better. Once again, as the captain of the South Korea national team, I sincerely apologize.”
