South Korean midfielder Son detained in China over bribe allegations included in Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for June games
- Son is being held on suspicion of taking bribes from non-state workers and has been detained by the public security department in Liaoning province
- Son listed in 23-man squad for friendlies against Peru in Busan on June 16 and El Salvador four days later in Daejon
South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann has included Son Jun-ho in his squad for this month’s friendly matches against Peru and El Salvador despite the midfielder’s ongoing detention in China in connection with a bribery case in Liaoning province.
Son, who plays his club football for Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan, was listed in the 23-man squad for the games, which will see the Koreans face Peru in Busan on June 16 before playing El Salvador four days later in Daejon.
At a press conference on Monday, Klinsmann said the midfielder had his total support and the country’s football bosses were “all shocked by the situation”.
“We hope every day something happens but it’s not in our hands,” Klinsmann said. “I know the [Korea Football Association] and our people went to China and we will try to get him out of there and try to get him home. But it’s not in our hands.
“He’s on that list in case something happens, he’s right with us. We’re looking after him, he’s getting our support. We don’t know his state of mind, we don’t know what physical state he is but I think he deserves all the support from us.
“He’s been outstanding in the two games against Colombia and against Uruguay and we miss him. We really hope and we pray that he can get him released.”
The Korea Football Association said it had sent officials to China to seek Son’s release, but the player’s lawyer was “reluctant” to speak to them.
The KFA officials returned to South Korea on Monday “without success”, Yonhap news agency reported.
China’s foreign ministry previously said Son, who featured three times at the World Cup in Qatar last year, is suspected of taking bribes from non-state workers and has been detained by the public security department in Liaoning province.
He was selected by Klinsmann for the German’s first two games in charge of the national team in March, when the Koreans drew 2-2 with Colombia before losing 2-1 against Uruguay, and has played 20 times for South Korea.
Also in the latest squad is talisman and skipper Son Heung-min, the Spurs forward, but Napoli defender Kim Min-jae was not included.
The newly crowned Serie A champion has to do mandatory military training.
