"Lee Kang-in, PSG Release and Transfer Ban"... Fake News Spreads

Netizens Sympathize with Those Deceived by Fake News

Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain·PSG), at the center of the so-called 'Pingpong Gate,' is suffering a double burden of fake news following the controversy. The fake news contains shocking claims that Lee Kang-in has been released from his team PSG and that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has designated Lee Kang-in as a player banned from transfer market trades.

Thumbnail of a video containing fake news that Lee Kang-in's club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) owner is forcibly releasing Lee Kang-in and that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has designated Lee Kang-in as a trade-ban player in the transfer market. [Image source=YouTube capture]

On the 18th, a YouTube channel uploaded a video titled "Lee Kang-in's contract forcibly terminated in 3 days," "PSG owner confirms Lee Kang-in's forced release," and "FIFA declares Lee Kang-in banned from all league transfer markets." The video claims that on the 17th, PSG owner Al Thani held an emergency press conference announcing Lee Kang-in's contract termination. It also states that Lee Kang-in had caused problems with players inside PSG even before issues arose in the Korean national team. Furthermore, it includes claims that FIFA officially designated Lee Kang-in as a 'player banned from transfer market trades.'

However, all the information contained in this video is 'false.' Neither PSG nor FIFA has announced Lee Kang-in's release or transfer ban. The claim that Lee Kang-in caused problems within PSG was first raised in this video. Nevertheless, by the morning of the 20th, the video had recorded over 720,000 views. Other fake news videos about the Lee Kang-in controversy also have high view counts ranging from 100,000 to 1 million. Netizens deceived by the fake news are leaving supportive comments such as "I support the PSG owner's decision" and "It's the consequence of his behavior," along with 'likes.'

A manipulated video showing Kylian Mbappe expressing displeasure when a Japanese reporter asked a question related to Lee Kang-in, and then praising Lee Kang-in.
[Image source=YouTube capture]

Fake news containing sensational content spread through social media platforms like YouTube continues to be a persistent social issue, yet new ones keep emerging. Previously, in June last year, a fake news video claiming that PSG superstar Kylian Mbapp? expressed displeasure at a Japanese reporter's question about Lee Kang-in but then praised him, surpassed 10 million views and became a hot topic. At that time, former national football player Lee Chun-soo was also deceived by the video and uploaded a reaction video praising Mbapp? on his own YouTube channel.

Earlier, on the 14th, British media The Sun reported that "Son Heung-min dislocated his finger after an argument with teammates during a dinner the night before the Asian Cup semi-final," revealing the so-called 'Pingpong Gate' controversy. Subsequently, the Korea Football Association acknowledged the incident, and it was reported that the argument started when Son Heung-min scolded younger players who went to play table tennis after dinner, escalating into a physical altercation. As a result of the commotion, Son Heung-min dislocated his right middle and ring fingers. As the controversy grew, Lee Kang-in posted an apology on social media but also released a statement through his legal representative the next day saying, "The reports that I punched Son Heung-min in the face are not true. Senior players were present during the table tennis game, and we had always played table tennis before that day."