Home > Sports > Football

Everything Lee Kang-in said in latest Asian Cup apology

Published: 21 Feb. 2024, 09:35 Updated: 21 Feb. 2024, 09:41

JIM BULLEY
[email protected]

Lee Kang-in [NEWS1]

Lee Kang-in posted a second apology for his Asian Cup altercation with Son Heung-min on Instagram on Wednesday, confirming that he had traveled to London to apologize to the Tottenham Hotspur and Korea captain in person.

“Hello, this is Lee Kang-in,” Lee wrote in Korean in a post on his personal Instagram account. “At the Asian Cup, I hugely disappointed Heung-min, the entire team and football fans with my rash thoughts and actions.

“I thought it was important to visit Heung-min in person and apologize to him. I understand the captain's responsibilities after a long conversation and I took the time to look back at myself. I thank Heung-min once again through this post for welcoming me in London.

“I knew how eager Heung-min was to win the tournament, but I didn't take that into account with my heart and actions, which I think started the problem.

“I didn't listen to the advice that Heung-min gave me for the sake of uniting the team as a captain and senior player. I only strongly stated my opinions.

“I took an action that I should have never at the meal time that day. It was something I know that should have never done even now that I reflect on it. I'm deeply reflecting on this.

“Respect for the team and commitment are the most important, but I was not mature enough.

“I contacted other senior players and every single member of the national team and apologized.

“I am reflecting on the fact that I was not mature when it came to speaking with my teammates and senior players. I promised them that I would behave properly and be politer.

“I would like to use this post to thank all the senior players once again who accepted my apologies.

“Some players became the target of criticism because of my actions. I think I should take that criticism.

“I once again apologize for disappointing football fans for not showing good deeds as a Korean national team player despite the excessive expectations and encouragement.”

Son Heung-min, left, and Lee Kang-in pose together in a photo posted on Son's official Instagram account on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Lee’s post came less than an hour before Son posted a statement of his own, breaking his silence on the altercation and calling on fans to forgive Lee.

Son and Lee were involved in an altercation at the Asian Cup after Lee and a group of younger players left dinner to go and play table tennis. Son asked them to return to the team dinner and the incident reportedly turned physical.

While both Son and Lee have acknowledged that a dispute took place, nobody that was in the room has gone on the record to confirm the details of the physical altercation.

Since reports of the incident first broke last week, Lee has faced a barrage of loud criticism from some fans, a slew of offensive posts and even calls to boycott brands that have sponsorship deals with him.

BY JIM BULLEY AND PAIK JI-HWAN [[email protected]]