Hwang Ui-jo claims are 'speculations,' Klinsmann says after playing midfielder against China

Football

Published: 22 Nov. 2023, 11:45 Updated: 22 Nov. 2023, 15:54

Hwang Ui-jo claims are 'speculations,' Klinsmann says after playing midfielder against China

Korean head coach Jurgen Klinsmann reacts before the second round Group C match of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup between China and Korea in Shenzhen, China on Tuesday. [XINHUA]

Korean national football team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann downplayed the illegal sex tape allegations surrounding midfielder Hwang Ui-jo during a post-game press conference Tuesday, calling them “speculations.”

“Ui-jo, you know, these things that are going on are speculations,” Klinsmann said when asked by a reporter for the reasoning behind putting Hwang on the field during a game against China on Tuesday night.

Police over the weekend had booked the 31-year-old for questioning over the allegations, first made in June by a woman who said he illegally filmed their sexual encounters without her consent.

“I live in this world since 40 years, professional football, there are always speculations. And until there is nothing proven to something that people speculate, I don’t believe it,” Klinsmann said. “So it’s, for me, totally normal that Ui-jo, whatever is speculated there in Korea at the moment, is not true.”

Korea's Hwang Ui-jo heads toward the bench after warming up ahead of the match against China in Shenzhen, China on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

But some members of the public were not happy with Klinsmann’s decision to play Hwang amid the allegations.

"Is it really okay for a criminal suspect to be playing a national team game?" read one of the comments on an Instagram post by the Korean Football Association celebrating Korea’s 3-0 win over China.

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"Why put Hwang Ui-jo? is [Jurgen Klinsmann] out of his mind?" another comment read.

The German manager, who has helmed the team since February, took about 40 seconds to respond to the question Tuesday night, calling Hwang a “very important player.”

“[Hwang] is a part of this team, very important player, and uh, he gets on the field. And I hope always when he gets on the field, maybe he scores a goal, because he’s a fantastic player,” Klinsmann said.

Korea's Hwang Ui-jo stands up on the field after falling over a Chinese defensive foul during the match against China in Shenzhen, China on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Hwang was not part of the starting lineup but entered the game during the 72nd minute, as Klinsmann slotted him in for striker Cho Gue-sung.

Hwang, a midfielder for Norwich City, had also played in Korea’s first game of the Asian qualifiers against Singapore in Seoul last week, scoring a goal during the second half, minutes after replacing Cho.

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Norwich City manager David Wagner had not made a public statement about the allegations surrounding Hwang as of press time.

Hwang was set to return to the British club after the international break, which ends Friday. Norwich City next play Queens Park Rangers at home on Sunday.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]