As Tensions Escalate, Session Ends 10 Minutes Early
Son Heung-min, the 'captain' of the national football team who is resting in Korea, appeared at a football field located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on the 5th. At the captain's appearance, a huge crowd quickly gathered, creating a massive throng, and even the police were dispatched.
Captain of the national soccer team Son Heung-min (left) and the crowd gathered on the 5th at a sports park in Yongin to see Son Heung-min [Photo by Yonhap News, FM Korea]
Son Heung-min appeared at Suji Sports Park in Yongin wearing the same outfit as when he played as a temporary member of FC Mad Dog at Achasan Futsal Ground on the 27th of last month, and played a match with a football team composed of ordinary people. He was accompanied by national team goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
Son Heung-min's appearance was shared in real-time on various social networking services (SNS), soon leading to a large crowd. There were reports such as "More than 300 taxis dispatched to Suji Sports Park in real-time on T-map" and "Even drones appeared."
As a result, around 9 p.m., the Suji Police Substation received 13 safety accident concern reports stating "There are too many people, it's dangerous." Authorities shared this situation with the fire department and the city hall disaster control center, and deployed 29 personnel including local police to the scene to manage the crowd. It is estimated that about 2,000 citizens gathered.
Some citizens even tried to climb over the fence to enter the stadium. As the atmosphere became overheated, Son Heung-min ended the game about 10 minutes earlier than scheduled and left the stadium around 10:10 p.m.
Son Heung-min, who is resting in Korea, will join Tottenham Hotspur's preseason schedule starting next month. Tottenham is scheduled to come to Korea for the preseason and play friendly matches against Team K League (July 31) and Bayern Munich (August 3).
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min's father, Son Woong-jung, director of SON Football Academy, has been embroiled in a child abuse controversy. On the 26th of last month, it was reported that Coach Son and two coaches belonging to SON Football Academy were accused of violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse). This case has reportedly been sent to the prosecution.
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