Suwon FC Terminates Contract with Son Junho over 'Match-Fixing'..."Not Respectful to Fans"

Released from professional soccer K League 1 Suwon FC
"The issue has become too big... It's not about courtesy to fans but judgment"

Son Jun-ho, who was permanently banned by the Chinese Football Association for match-fixing, has been released from his club, professional football K League 1 team Suwon FC.

Former national soccer player Son Jun-ho (Suwon FC) is shedding tears during a press conference on the permanent expulsion disciplinary action by the Chinese Football Association, held on the afternoon of the 11th at the Suwon City Sports Hall in Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Suwon FC stated, "In a situation where the controversy has grown, having Son Jun-ho play in matches is disrespectful to the fans," and added, "We decided that it would be better to proceed with contract termination."

Son Jun-ho was previously permanently banned by the Chinese Football Association on the 10th due to match-fixing allegations. If FIFA, after being notified of the disciplinary action by the Chinese Football Association, holds a disciplinary committee and deems the sanction 'valid,' the related information will be communicated to football associations worldwide, making Son Jun-ho's match-fixing allegations and permanent ban effective globally.

Choi, the director who led Son Jun-ho's signing with Suwon FC in June, initially planned to allow Son to participate in matches until FIFA's decision was made but changed his stance. He explained, "At first, I thought it was right to let him play, but the issue has become too big." Son Jun-ho was released by Chinese authorities in March and returned to Korea, joining Suwon FC in June, but after just three months, he is now parting ways with the team.

Earlier, on the 11th, the day after the Chinese Football Association's announcement, Son Jun-ho held a press conference where he even shed tears, pleading his innocence. However, his unclear explanations?such as claiming that the guilty verdict by the Chinese court for accepting 200,000 yuan (approximately 37 million KRW) in bribes was a result of a deal with the judge to be released quickly and resume his career in Korea, or admitting to receiving the money from a teammate but not recalling the reason?only fueled suspicions.

Given these circumstances, Suwon FC appears to have judged that it is no longer feasible to keep Son Jun-ho on the team.