Chinese authorities formally arrest Korean midfielder Son Jun-ho

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Chinese authorities formally arrest Korean midfielder Son Jun-ho

Published: 18 Jun. 2023, 18:20

Son Jun-ho [YONHAP]

Chinese authorities have formally arrested Korean midfielder Son Jun-ho on bribery charges, local sources confirmed Sunday, 37 days after he was first detained in Liaoning Province.

Son, who plays for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League, was detained on May 12 at an airport in Shanghai in what China has called a bribery investigation. Under Chinese law, police can detail suspects for up to 37 days before a prosecutor approves an arrest.

Now that Son has been formally arrested, the investigation process can take one to two months, according to reports. Son can be held for the duration of that investigation.

The arrest comes amid a crackdown on match-fixing in Chinese football, although the exact details leading to Son’s arrest have not been revealed, with attempts by the Korean consulate and the Korea Football Association reported to have been largely rebuffed.

Earlier this year, four senior football officials, including Chinese Football Association President Chen Xuyuan, were detained as part of investigations into "serious violations of discipline and the law."

Son’s local agent in China was also detained earlier this month, according to the JoongAng Ilbo. He is also being held on bribery charges.

Son, 31, has played for Shandong since 2021 when the club went on to win the Chinese Football League. He has 20 caps for Korea, including appearing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

He was included in the squad for Korea’s ongoing friendly series by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann as a show of solidarity.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]