Son Heung-min dislocates finger after ping pong row with South Korea team-mates
Son Heung-min dislocated a finger after a row broke out in the South Korea squad on the eve of their shock Asian Cup exit.
Son suffered the injury during an argument over dinner before his country’s 2-0 semi-final defeat against Jordan.
The row erupted after some of the younger members of the squad ate their meals quickly so that they could play ping pong.
Tottenham Hotspur star Son, who captains both his club and country, was unhappy with players leaving early, with mealtimes seen as an opportunity for team bonding.
Words were exchanged and an altercation broke out between the squad, with conflicting accounts since emerging about whether Son was involved in the fracas or was hurt acting as peacemaker.
A Korea Football Association (KFA) told the country’s Yonhap news agency: “It happened when some young players went up to play table tennis, and Son Heung-min and other older players took issue with it.
“The players exchanged a few words and Son hurt his finger in the process.”
Among the players involved was Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in, who issued a public apology on Wednesday.
He wrote on Instagram: “It was reported that I had an altercation with Son ahead of the Asian Cup semi-final. I have caused great disappointment to all those football fans who support the national team. I am so sorry. I should have listened to the older players and I apologise for not showing a good attitude.
“I apologise to the many people who are disappointed in me. I am well aware of how invested fans are in me as a player. From now on, I will try to support the senior players and become a better player and person.”
Son still played the next day, wearing a bandage on the middle finger on his right hand as South Korea were knocked out.
That was despite them being ranked 64 places above their opponents, who went on to lose the final 3-1 to hosts Qatar.
Son was still sporting the bandage when he returned to Spurs duty in the Premier League on Saturday, coming off the bench to set up their 96th-minute winner against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The victory moved Ange Postecoglou’s side up to fourth place in the table, one point ahead of Aston Villa.
