Son Heung-min's agency files complaint against nightclub staff for defamation

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Son Heung-min's agency files complaint against nightclub staff for defamation

Published: 11 Aug. 2024, 18:35 Updated: 11 Aug. 2024, 19:56

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min reacts during a Coupang Play Series match against Bayern Munich at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Aug. 3. [NEWS1]

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min’s agency Son & Football Limited filed a criminal complaint Friday against five nightclub employees who allegedly tried to promote their club by sharing an Instagram post on Aug. 3 that Son spent 30 million won ($22,000) at the club in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, after the Coupang Play Series match between Spurs and Bayern Munich.

The agency filed the complaint over allegations of defamation and obstruction of duties, according to police.

Son played two matches at the Coupang Play Series — a preseason exhibition series featuring European teams — on July 31 and Aug. 3. Both took place at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul.

After the match between Spurs and Bayern on Aug. 3, a nightclub employee shared an Instagram post saying that Bayern players had visited the nightclub that day.

The employee also said the following: “The Bayern Munich squad came today, and Son Heung-min paid for them. Since Son makes 330 million won per week and the bill was 30 million won, it is basically a 60,000 won meal for a worker who makes 3 million won per month.”

Son & Football Limited refuted that claim on Aug. 4, saying that Son never visited the nightclub nor paid for anything. The agency added that after confirming some details it discovered that the nightclub employees spread false information in an attempt to promote their place.

“Their conduct is a crime that harms the reputation and image of Son Heung-min, who is aware of social responsibilities and maintains a stoic life as a public figure,” the agency was quoted as saying by the JoongAng Ilbo, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily. “We will take legal action against the nightclub and the employees soon.”

BY JUNG SI-NAE [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]